By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 30: The VPP has welcomed the MDA Government’s decision to curb VIP culture in the state.
VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh was thankful that the government had finally acted on the VIP culture issue, a matter the opposition party had consistently raised. He recalled that Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit had repeatedly flagged the need to end VIP culture in the Legislative Assembly, and he pointed to an earlier incident in which its misuse had even cost a life.
He added that during the MP and MDC election campaigns, the VPP had told people that if they reposed their trust in the party, the government would be forced to serve the public more responsibly. He said the development on VIP culture had validated that stand.
The VPP, he said, would continue prioritising public interest and urged the government to ensure accountability in the use of funds, stop appointing consultants that drain state resources, implement lowest-bid tendering, discontinue the CM IMPACT guidebook, and improve the education and health sectors. He also advised the government to strengthen agriculture, cut wasteful advertisement spending and avoid political approaches that, he said, diluted the essence of tribal values.
At the same time, the VPP also accused the MDA Government of “mainstreaming tribal politics”, saying tribal politics was never meant for self-promotion and was instead rooted in sobriety, community values and the welfare of the commons.
Myrboh stated that spending public money on advertisements to build the image of those in office goes against tribal culture and attitude.
Referring to Rev. JJM Nichols Roy, he said the revered leader had described tribal culture as superior in certain ways, and therefore Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma should remain conscious of the cultural principles that make Meghalaya’s tribal politics unique and distinctive.
