Verbal brick batting is the order of the campaign for the run up to the Meghalaya Legislative election, which is a bad taste, to the voters. The congress for instance is raking up the cow slaughter issues against the BJP. Spear head by the congress Chief Minister Mukul Sangma himself. BJP vice President J.A Lyngdoh however was not taken thing lying down and clarified that the Supreme Court had only directed the Ministry of Environment Forest, for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Lyngdoh had further said that the food habits of the people in the state would not be hampered as NDA Government believes in freedom as enshrined in the constitution. Ban on cow slaughter is therefore only suggestive propaganda to instill fears and doubt upon populace.
State need to come up with more skill development programme” - Warjri
Smti. Roshan Warjri Minister of Health and Family Welfare gave away the State Award for Handicraft Artisans for the year 2016-2017 and Certificates to the participants of the Skill Development Training Programme on Packaging to Unemployed Youth and Entrepreneurs in a function organized by the Skill Development Training Programme.
Speaking on the occasion Warjri said that it was high time for the youth of the State to train themselves in different skills as government jobs are getting scarce. She reminds the people that the State Award has been instituted by the Government to give incentive and create awareness on different sources of livelihood. She added that the handloom and other products of the State were in high demand due to the quality of craftsmanship and thus stressed on the importance of packaging and marketing for entrepreneurs to move ahead for better and sustainable livelihood.
Other speaker during the function was Additional Chief Secretary, Mr. P. W. Ingty. The State Awardees for Handicraft Artisans received a cash award of Rs.50, 000/-, a trophy and a certificate while the participants of the Skill Development Training Programme were conferred with a certificate for their participation.
P.N. SyiemChief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has condemned the decision of the Meghalaya Government for trying to handover the mining policy to the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation (MMDC) without consulting the Council. The aim of the Government is to give MMDC the rights to mine limestone and coal.
The chief said that this decision of the government is an insult to the Council and violation of the Sixth Scheduled which is unconstitutional. He also added that if the MMDC get its rights, land owners will suffer as their land would be seizes and people will lose their rights on natural resources.
The Office of the Labour Commisioner government of Meghalaya had sent out letter to the leaders of the MeECL Progressive Workers’ Union (MPWU) to discuss about their various grievances regarding their working conditions and wages and statutory benefits like ESI, PF, Leave, Maternity Benefits etc. The offer came right after the MeECL officers walked out from a meeting between the agitating Unions who had invite Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) members on Thursday.
Meanwhile the MPWU had decided to lodge complains with the labour commissioner office regarding the violation of Trade Union Act by MeECL.
The concept and round development is yet to be developed in Meghalaya, the land of Abode of Clouds, the promise land of empty promises. This year 2017, is the pre election year to the legislative assembly, in which the Congress led coalition Government has pronounced achievement in the development field, which to the naked eye, there is much more of a barren land than any fruits of achievements. The age of bullock carts has gone past, replaced by faster modes of transport. But where are the roads to connect specially the agricultural lands with the market centres, to serve the economic cause, which is most essential. In most places, farmers have to trek with their head-loads of agricultural produce to the nearest road stoppage. Most of the agricultural produce are perishable and it becomes a nightmare for the poor farmers to make both ends meet. Transportation has therefore become a big problem for the producers of food, which should have been given a priority.
The State Government has however claimed, that development of road infrastructure and providing village connectivity, is one of the main thrust areas, under which 110 crore rupees have been sanctioned this year. While in the Garo Hills, along national highway 62, a number of wooden bridges have been washed away, because of heavy rains flooding the Simsang river. About 600 villages are affected, as communications have been snapped. For all these years, why wooden bridges are not replaced by cement bridges. So this is the plight of road communication. In many of the villages, people have to come out for “Self – help” road repair and construction.
The talk between Progressive Workers’ Union (MPWU) and the chairman of Meghalaya Electricity Corporation Limited (MeECL) and its officers fail as the MeECL did not like the presence of Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) member Angela Rangad.
The MeECL officer gave a befitting reply to the casual workers by saying that NGOs are not allowed in the meeting. The regular casual workers accused the MeECL especially the Chairman of violating the Trade Union Act 1926 by saying that Angela Rangad was an invitee from the Union.
Post the unsuccessful meeting the union members assembled at Lumjingshai Polo and drafted a letter to CMD PS Thangkhiew accusing him of being rude.
Congress-Led Government turn blind eye to employment
The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief general secretary of Meghalaya D.K. Gupta slammed the Congress-led government in Meghalaya for closing its eyes on unemployment problems. In a statement issued on Thursday the LJP chief general secretary said after visiting many villages in the LJP chief general secretary, he has find out that there are many challenges faced by the youth in the State in terms of employment
The Chief said “The problem is not because the State does not have employment opportunities, but it is evidently due to the negligence of the State Government”. He added that there are many industries in the State like Khasi, Jaintia and Ri Bhoi districts but the present government has chosen to close its eyes on this unemployment problem, and did not focus on welfare of the youth.
He reminded the press that Agreement was made by the Meghalaya government with business houses to provide employment as per the Industrial policy of 1997. A contract was signed by the Government from these big business houses to employ local youths and to restrict these private business houses to hire people from outside the state in running their industries.
The LJP chief had asked the government to strictly abide and enforce the memorandum of understanding signed with these business houses.
