Construction of Tura Medical College in progress
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has informed that the work for the construction of the Tura medical college is progressing.
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“We have about 45 per cent of physical progress. There are some problems (and) we are engaging with other nearby hospitals to ensure that we reach the mark of 450 beds as recommended by the MCI,” Lyngdoh told reporters.
She said that there were also certain problems with the availability of funds but that also has been sorted out.
The minister also announced that she will be visiting the construction site very shortly and said, “I am waiting for the model code of conduct to be completed quickly so I can begin to go on the ground to understand better but the Tura Medical College is progressing.
On the proposal to set up the Shillong medical college, Lyngdoh said that the government is yet to formulate a finalized approach and the matter has still to be taken to the cabinet adding that “but internal engagements are on”.
“We still require proper cabinet note to be sent proper projections to be made but yes Shillong medical college will probably change from the old proposal,” she said while adding that “We may have a PPP proposal as proposed earlier but not necessarily in Shillong but somewhere in this part of the state but all of this is being prepared now and it would be incorrect for me to divulge too much on that but one message which can go very clearly is that we are a concern and we are on the job and we will come up with a proposal and a plan at the earliest.”
When asked, Lyngdoh said, “We want these institutions to be materialized within the timeline that was specified. I know that yes we were told to institute one and it has been done in the Garo region yes we have to institute something in the Khasi region or the Ri Bhoi region as well that is we are on the job and on the pipeline but we cannot spell it out with full authority as we are still at a discussion level and we still looking at what is the best way forward.”
AIM against gambling in melas
The Awakening Indian Movement (AIM) has sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district to ensure a blanket ban on gambling at melas being organized by different agencies.
Speaking to media persons, chairman of AIM Bansharai Marbaniang said that many people from other part of the country come to Meghalaya to host various kinds of melas, however these melas have games that encourage gambling with money which is detrimental and have a negative impact on the welfare of the people.
Marbaniang alleged that melas throughout the country are being held in order to provide entertainment to all citizens where they can experience happiness especially for children, students, and youth but at present melas in Meghalaya are being held with gambling which have detrimental and a negative impact on the welfare of the people.
“During our visit to the mela held at the Parking Lot outside Polo Ground in Shillong, the mela hosted various gambling activities with money and young people and students in uniform participated in various gambling games” said Marbaniang.
Marbaniang said that AIM is not against organizing melas in the state, however it stands against the act of gambling that is being held at the venues hence the AIM sought the intervention into this matter.
KHNAM spreads awareness on scrapping personal interviews
The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) today distributed leaflets to public across Shillong with an aim to create awareness with regard the demand to do away with personal interview for group B, C, D in Meghalaya.
Speaking to media persons, KHNAM vice president Thomas Passah said that the government of India since 2016 has come out with an order which directed all state governments in 23 states to do away with personal interviews for group B, C, D.
Passah said that the objective to distribute pamphlets around the city is to highlight and to create awareness among the general public on their demands from the State government to do away with personal interviews as done in other parts of the country.
He added the KHNAM from time to time has demanded from the state government to do away with personal interviews but till date the government has never expressed any desire to discuss this issue even though it is an important issue especially for the youths of the state.
“By distributing these leaflets especially to the youths, we want the public to understand why it is necessary to do away with personal interviews for group B, C, and D in Meghalaya” said Passah.
Passah also urged all regional parties who are part of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) to raise this issue in the next cabinet meeting failing which the KHNAM will seek the support of the public by holding a public rally in the days to come.
KHNAM demands suspension of recruitment sans roster system
The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) said discussing the roster system in the Cabinet alone will not solve or bring light to the problem even as it demanded putting on hold all job recruitments till a proper roster system is in place.
The statement came a day after Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had informed that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government will soon discuss and take a call on the issue related to the roster system in the upcoming meeting of the state Cabinet.
Tynsong had also informed that the government may also discuss the issue in the MDA meeting and all-party meeting.
In a statement, KHNAM vice president Thomas Passah said that the statement made by the Deputy Chief Minister on the roster system does not sound promising.
“We would like to state that discussing the roster system in the Cabinet alone will not solve or bring light to the problems. The hopeful steps the government is planning to take on the issue, which includes, Cabinet meeting, meeting with the MDA partners, All party meeting etc as stated by the Deputy CM seems to be time buying tactic on one hand while on the other hand recruitment process of various Departments is being speed up to capitalize on the current and illegal roster system to help one section of the community,” he stated.
“Lately, we have seen that there are lots of advertisements floated for recruitment in various departments in the government, there have been instances also where vacancies have been readvertised as per quota made through the roster system, wherein more seats have been allotted to Garos and fewer seats to the Khasi Jaintia community,” Passah alleged.
Demanding the government to put on hold all recruitment processes, the KHNAM leader said, “Therefore, if the Government is serious, we demand that all recruitment be put on hold, till a proper and legal roster system is in place.”