CCTV surveillance to ensure safety in Iewduh

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 14: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) today decided to put Iewduh – the oldest traditional market in the region – under CCTV surveillance to ensure the safety and security of traders and the general public.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Committee on Safety, Security and Cleanliness of Iewduh was convened by the KHADC chief executive member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem and attended by EM in-charge market Grace Mary Kharpuri, EM in-charge development Carnes Sohshang and representatives of various localities – Mawkhar, Umsohsun, Mission Compound, Wahthapbru, Qualapatty, Riatsamthiah and Wahingdoh – besides officials from the district administration.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Syiem informed that the Committee has decided to seek funds from the Fifteen Finance Commission to construct and renovate public toilets, drainage systems and install new water pipes at Iewduh.

“The committee has also decided to install CCTV cameras and solar lightings in and around Iewduh to monitor any untoward incidents and to instil a sense of safety and security among the traders and market goers,” he said.

The CEM also said that the committee has also decided to conduct an inspection in Iewduh for the installation of a check gate to monitor the entry and exit of people and to prevent theft and anti-social elements, especially during nighttime.

Meanwhile, the committee has also decided to ban overnight staying in Iewduh and also to take action against shop owners who converted their shops into residence complexes and against those involved in gambling.

Sohiong residents flag inconsistencies in fund release

Claiming that they have not received funds from the Special Rural Works Programme (SRWP) scheme 2018-2022, a section of the residents of Sohiong constituency have demanded an answer from former MLA Samlin Malngiang as to why this situation has come about.

Speaking to media persons, John Wankhar claimed that many residents of various villages under Sohiong constituency have not received funds, despite their names having appeared in the list of beneficiaries.

Wankhar informed that after receiving complaints from villagers, a group of residents had sought RTI report from the CRD Block Office Sohiong in June 2022 on the number of beneficiaries benefited from the SRWP scheme 2018-2022.

“As per the RTI report received on 12 July 2022 from the CRD Block Office Sohiong, till date there are 15 individuals or families from various villages who have not receive any funds under the SRWP scheme 2018-2022 despite their names have appeared in the list of beneficiaries” alleged Wankhar.

Wandalin Khongsit, a resident of Kharlakhar village who had accompanied the group said that her name had also appeared in the list to receive Rs.10,000 for the implementation of SRWP scheme but till date the fund was never accredited to her account.

Khongsit said that all beneficiaries of the SRWP scheme 2018-2022 was supposed to be given Rs.10,000 to Rs.20,000 but till date there are 14 individuals or families who have not received the fund despite their names having appeared in the beneficiaries list.

“As a group and personally I have visited the CRD Block Office Sohiong and have enquired about the non-release of funds meant under SRWP scheme 2018-2022 but till date, we have not received any positive response” said Khongsit.

ACHIK moves Court against communal imbalance

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 5: The Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) has informed that its vice president Greneth M Sangma had approached the Meghalaya High Court for the protection against any sort of communal imbalance in the state and protection against any discrimination and danger against the Garo tribe living within the state of Meghalaya and Shillong specifically in view of the issue related to the roster system and implementation of the reservation policy.

ALSO READ: KSU for prospective implementation of roster system

In a statement issued today, the ACHIK said that the High Court had given assurance that if any kind of disturbance or communal if need arises, the High Court is open to hearing the plea but since at present only the statement is doing round and no actual communal act has been committed by any group or section of the individual.

ALSO READ: VPP decides to move for special Assembly session

The ACHIK said the PIL filed by its vice president Greneth M Sangma stands un-entertained but with an option to approach and inform HC if any crisis is evoked in any manner in future. The High Court also assured that the roster system cannot be affected, since it is just and fair, it added.

Judiciary leaves details of roster system to executive, legislature

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 4: The Meghalaya High Court today said how far back the roster system would be made applicable, these are policy matters that are best left to the legislature and the executive of the state.

In its order, the division bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee has dismissed a PIL filed by one Greneth M Sangma without going into the merits of the matter pertaining to the roster system for reserved seats in the State and said, “The Court may be called upon to look into the matter at a more appropriate stage.”

The Court said the judicial notice needs to be taken of the discussions pertaining to the roster in the new Assembly.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Roster system row: ‘Allegation on promoting communalism baseless, erroneous’, says VPP

“However, it does not appear that any decision has yet been taken as to a cut-off date or the like or how far back the roster system would be made applicable. These are policy matters that are best left to the legislature and the executive and upon a firm stand being taken, it will be open to any citizen affected thereby to question the propriety thereof in accordance with law,” it said while adding that “As of now, and without a decision in such regard having been taken by the Assembly which is actively discussing the matter, the present petition should not be entertained.”

The Court also stated that this petition, apparently filed in the public interest, appears to be an attempt to muddy the already disturbed waters.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya CM says roster system in place as per HC order; VPP wants roster system on hold

The order said it was discovered in the year 2022, quite accidentally in course of a service matter before a Division Bench of this Court, that though the reservation policy had been in place in this State since its inception in January, 1972, there was no roster that had been prepared.

Accordingly, this Court took suo motu cognisance of such irregularity and required all appointments to be stayed till a roster was prepared.

Certain ancillary directions were also issued. A roster was prepared.

The Court noticed that a roster had been prepared and the matter was given a quietus without going into the veracity of the roster that was prepared and upon prima facie satisfaction that the roster adhered to the extent of reservation of about 85 per cent that is in vogue in the State, the order stated.