The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has made it clear that the protest against the allotment of land in New Shillong Township for construction of Nagaland Medical Lodge is against the Government of Meghalaya not Government of Nagaland by saying that the government of Meghalaya should relocate the proposed Nagaland Guest House to another area not far from the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).
KSU general secretary, Donald Thabah asserted that the plot of land allotted to the Nagaland government should be used for the benefits of the domiciles of the state and the state government should construct a medical lodge or a boarding house for the benefit of the local people especially those coming from the rural areas instead of giving it away.
He added that a government lodge should have been constructed in this area, providing all the facilities at government rate for our people particularly those coming from far-flung areas like Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.
National People’s Party and Nongkrem MDC H.S Shylla became the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) after his opponent and People’s Democratic Front (PDF) candidate Grace Kharpuri fail show up for the election to the CEM post. Interestingly Umsning MDC Donkupar Sumer urged the new CEM not to form a new political party like the then CEM Pynshngain N. Syiem
After the Governor of Meghalaya appointed Mrs. Teilinia S.Thnagkhiew as the preterm Chairman of the KHADC by the Governor of Meghalaya. A total number of 16 MDCs of the Khasi Hills Democratic Alliance (KHDA) including the preterm chairman attended the special session. All the 17 MDCs of the KHDA including Teilinia Thangkhiew attended the special session. In the House of 29, KHDA has 17 MDCs while the PDA including the Congress has 12 MDCs.
Union Home Minister launches BADP Online Management System
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh had interaction with Field and State Level Officers implementing Border Area Development Programme (BADP), here today. During the interaction, relevant issues regarding implementation of BADP and to make it more effective were discussed in detail. Shri Rajnath Singh stressed that the border population is strategic asset to the country and important element to maintain border security. He emphasised that all out efforts must be made to improve social and economic infrastructure to ensure that these people continue to live in border villages. He mentioned that the government accords utmost priority to social and economic well-being of border population and to provide them all facilities like connectivity, safe drinking water, schools, hospitals and other facilities to ensure sustainable living in these areas. He assured Centre's continued assistance to States to strengthen infrastructure and development activities under the BADP.
The outlay under this Programme has been increased to Rs. 1,100 crore in 2017-18 from Rs. 990 crore in 2015-16. For comprehensive and all-round development of border villages, it has been decided to develop 61 model villages for which Rs. 126 crores have been released to the State Governments. Additional funds will also be made available as per requirement. Each model village will provide all basic facilities like primary health centre, primary education, community centre, connectivity, drainage, drinking water, etc. to enable sustainable living in border areas.
On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh launched BADP Online Management System for better planning, monitoring and implementation of various projects under BADP. Border States can submit their respective Annual Action Plans online and receive approvals from Ministry of Home Affairs in electronic mode which will bring in transparency in the sanction process and improve quality of planning and implementation.
BADP covers 111 border districts in 17 States to meet special development needs of border population with focus on people living within 50 kilometers of the International Border. A total of Rs. 13,400 crore has been released since the programme was initiated in 1986-87.
Senior officers from all 17 States and District Magistrates from 25 border districts attended the programme. Presentations were given by State Governments of Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal highlighting major achievements under the BADP and steps taken by the State Governments to improve quality of life for border population. Shri Rajnath Singh also interacted with around 25 District Magistrates who spoke about the specific issues relevant to their districts.
During the interaction, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, MoS (Home), Shri Kiren Rijiju, MoS (Home), Union Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba and Special Secretary (Border Management), Shri B.R. Sharma were also present.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has come up with a decision to field a candidate from the South Tura seat against the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma of the National Peoples’ Party. It is reported that the decision to field a candidate was apparently taken after a meeting between the leaders at the residence of B.G Momin who is the President of UDP Garo Hills at Bangsi Apal in the presence of Working President Linden Momin and General Secretary Utzol Sangma.
Utzol Sangma said that the decision to field a candidate against the CM was unanimous decision since there was no agreement between the UDP and Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) partners about the UDP not being able to field a candidate for South Tura. The party (UDP) has a big surprise for the Chief Minister in the upcoming by-poll.
The Election for the post of Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) between H.S Shylla and Grace Kharpuri has to be put into hold as Chairman of the District Council L.G Nongsiej quit just before the election leaving the council without its Chairman.
The letter of resignation was handover to M Kharkrang Secretary Legislative of the KHADC and the letter will be sent to the Governor for consultation.
With the curfew considerably relaxed in the city and no instances of violence taking place, it appears normalcy is finally returning to Shillong. However, if one were to take a casual stroll around the city, away from the market and along the alleys surrounding the residential areas, after sundown, one might have to certainly question the authenticity of the above statement. The streets still wear a deserted look, the shutters of many shops might be pulled down to a close, one might see a few office workers with abstracted countenance rushing home after work and one might also occasionally hear indistinct cries and yelling emanating from various directions that would have one pause in fear and scrutinize his surroundings for a possible mob. Fortunately though, this curfew-like scene in the city is caused by a more cheerful reason than one would think- the FIFA World Cup 2018.
