Govt to propose upgrade of AMPT road

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 21: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Road) Prestone Tynsong today informed that the State government will soon take up with the Centre for converting the Agia-Mendhipara-Phulbari-Tura (AMPT) road into a national highway.

“We want to convert it to the national highway if the Government of India agrees. We will take it up with the Ministry of Road Transport for converting the road into a national highway,” Tynsong said while replying to a query raised by AITC Rajabala MLA Dr Mizanur Rahman Kazi in the Assembly.

Tynsong said that the department has taken measures to improve the AMPT road.

He said from 0.00 to 32.00 km, the work has been taken up under the scheme ‘Upgradation/Improvement of AMPT road (32 km) under World Bank while the stretch from 33.00 to 41.00 km, the DPR is under preparation.

He said that the road from 42.00 to 66.00 km is in good condition but a few potholes have developed and will be taken up after the monsoon is over.

From 67.60 to 100.20 km, Tynsong said that the construction works are being taken up under NESID for improvement including the widening of the AMPT road.

The portion from 100.20 to 103.00 km is included in the Garobadha-Selsella-Balachanda road sanctioned by the state government and the road is in good condition.

1520 drug traffickers arrested till date

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 21: Over 1520 persons have been arrested while 50 convicted for their involvement in drug trafficking till date, Deputy Chief Minister-in-charge of home (police) Prestone Tynsong informed in his reply to a starred question tabled in the Assembly today.

He said that the steps have been taken by the government to ensure that the culprits are convicted.

He said SOPs have been established to ensure the timely submission of exhibits to FSL (forensic science laboratory) and the prompt receipt of FSL reports. This helps in the timely preparation of chargesheets.

Tynsong also informed that the Directorate of Forensic Sciences in Mawdiangdiang has upgraded its drug testing equipment to a more advanced machine, GCMS Thermo Fisher injection machine, which enhances the capacity to examine and analyse drugs and NDPS substances. This upgrade has resulted in more timely FSL reports.

On the action against repeat offenders, the deputy CM said under the provisions of the PITNDPS Act, 1988, the State police has invoked action against 9 repeated offenders, demonstrating a commitment to tackling drug-related offences systematically.

“These steps collectively showcase the government’s commitment to addressing NDPS cases comprehensively, from investigation and prosecution to monitoring and review, with the ultimate goal of securing convictions against culprits involved in drug-related offences,” he stated.

Roster system: Ampareen assures justice to every community

Spokesperson of Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government Ampareen Lyngdoh has assured that the government will come up with the best solution to ensure there is no ‘injustice’ done to any community while implementing the roster system in the state.

“We will come out with the best solution and we will ensure that solution is manifested in credible information,” Lyngdoh told reporters today.

“I appeal to the people of Meghalaya and political parties across the board to kindly allow us to collect data, to ensure data collected is credible and to ensure that in applying this roster there shall be no injustice done to any one community. We are Meghalayans and we must understand that the government is for the people of Meghalaya,” she added.

Also referring to the ongoing debates on the issue, the cabinet minister said, “I appeal to political parties to be confident that the government is taking all advisories, suggestions, being debated and we will evaluate those suggestions and we will incorporate and come out with a roster which is going to be acceptable, which is going to be justified and which is going to have credible source of data.”

Stating it is a very difficult situation, she said, “We are trying our best now to ensure that while debating and discussing this matter, we should not be seen as taking anyone’s side, we will try our best to present to the people the best solution.”

On the other hand, Lyngdoh also asserted the need for citizens of the state to ensure that a practice that was propagated since the inception of the state with its positives and negatives should not be discussed beyond logical debate while citing that reservation policy is a very unique application.

According to her, the government is also aware that the roster does in all likelihood create some sort of a sense of insecurity amongst communities that are enjoying this reservation in the state of Meghalaya.

Urging the people of the state not to underestimate the capacity of the government to evaluate what practice will benefit the state in the long run, the spokesperson said, “We have been actively engaging on understanding the roster as it was and how best can we take that forward protecting the interest of all communities who will gradually and definitely be affected by it.”

“I want to give an assurance to the people of the state that the government is engaging actively. We have been advised by various court orders to ensure that we have a systematic application of the reservation policy that will seem like a policy that is sensitive to citizens across the board. We will try our best to understand this system and to ensure that while applying it we should not seem as a government that is unjustly applying a system,” she said while adding “This order of the High Court is going to have positive application in the future. We must as a state adhere to justice for all. We must provide a fair playing ground for all communities and we will try our best to ensure that in its future application we apply the system in the best and most justified manner. We are procuring all datas from all line departments to understand how the roster has been applied in the state thus far and we will adhere to advisories that are going to be productive in the long run for the state and the citizens of Meghalaya.”

On the demand of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to review the state reservation policy, Lyngdoh said, “Again, I want to reiterate that toying with discussion and debate about the roster on public domain coming out with statements which can seem as bias is the incorrect practice forward.”

“It is not fair to give suggestions that may not be workable or doable. So we will not talk about any one political party but we appeal to all political parties that this is a very sensitive issue, we do not want to see it go out of hand,” she said while requesting all civil societies and NGO members to have faith in the government which will come out with the best solution.

State Reservation Policy: Blunder of 50 yrs cannot be solved in days

United Democratic Party leader and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh today said a solution to a blunder committed in regard to the state reservation policy for the past 50 years cannot come in a matter of five days.

“It is also a fact that a blunder was committed 50 years ago so how do you resolve that? It is more difficult because it is an issue that has been festering for half a century so a solution will not come in five days. A blunder that has been perpetuated for 50 years cannot be resolved in five days in five weeks or even five months but let it be resolved bit by bit,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

The West Shillong legislator said, “Why are you saying that it is not a blunder. There are a lot of errors in the entire policy. For instance, giving space of two-three years for a post to be filled up means you are undermining, and compromising the quality of the administration. Now if an office has to have 12 staff members and because you have to wait for two years it means that the office is running short of staff for 2-3 years – that itself is a blunder.”

Admitting the danger if the reservation policy is being challenged, he said, “It is (dangerous) as there are a lot of intricacies involved,” while cautioning everyone that “we should not end up shooting ourselves in our leg, let us not inflict self-wounds.”

On the implementation of the roster system, Lyngdoh, who is also a spokesperson of the MDA government, informed that the MDA is going to meet at the end of this week or early next week to discuss this matter.

“The matter is also coming up before the cabinet and an All-party meet is also being called. So at these different platforms, we will get an exchange of views and I am sure the best of views will come forward,” he asserted.

Referring to the concerns expressed if the roster system is implemented retrospectively, Lyngdoh said, “That is a very valid concern so accordingly I will put my views across in the Cabinet that if at all it has to be done it can be done only prospectively one, two you can take the matter up to the Supreme Court, three, the State Assembly has the option of legislation – so which of these options or which combination of these options will work best that is entirely up to the House and the Cabinet to decide.”

“Therefore, let it come up before the cabinet. Let a cabinet memo be prepared. I will study the memo and articulate my point of view in the cabinet but first let the cabinet memo be put up,” he stated.

On the other hand, Lyngdoh reminded that the UDP had in fact listed as number one on its manifesto a change of the reservation policy and said, “We fielded 46 candidates and only 11 of us won. Even if you only think of the Khasi-Jaintia sector, we won 11 out of 36, minus the 10 we fielded in the Garo Hills, so it means that the majority of the constituencies are not interested in any change of the reservation policy.”

He said it also means that 25 constituencies did not favour a change of the reservation policy adding “Even if you combine UDP 11 plus VPP 4 that will still make it 15 and 15 out of 36 is still not a majority.”