State facing shortage of medicines

The District Medical & Health Officer of East Khasi Hills Dr A Lyngdoh has admitted that there is shortage of medicines at present due to a transition of procurement of drugs in the state.

This was stated in an action taken report in connection with the treatment of typhoid fever cases at Shella PHC and Ichamati CHC sent to the HYC general secretary Roykupar Synrem here.

This came after the HYC had written to the DM&HO for providing adequate medicines in the two health centres for the treatment of typhoid fever and to conduct investigation into the causes of such disease.

“There is a shortage of medicines at present since there is a transition of procurement of drugs from the state to the newly constituted corporation viz Meghalayan Medical Drugs & Services Limited (MMDSL). We are hereby submitting to the DHS (MI)/MMDSL the list of drugs that are required to combat the current crisis,” Dr Lyngdoh said in the action taken report.

She also informed that a team from the IDSP cell will be visiting Shella on April 28, to conduct an investigation for verification of the cases and identifying the source of illness.

A letter has been issued to all facilities including Shella & Ichamati to conduct awareness programmes on the symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention of the diseases, Dr Lyngdoh added.

Councils still against inclusions in proposed amendment to 6th Schedule

The three autonomous district councils – KHADC, JHADC and GHADC – has reiterated their strong opposition against the inclusion of ‘unrepresented tribe’ and ‘village council’ in the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

After a joint meeting held here, KHADC chief Titosstarwell Chyne told reporters that the matter was discussed by the three ADCs after the Centre had yet again sought for their views.

“We are totally against implementation of the unrepresented tribe and the state government is also in the same line with us. Regarding the village council issue, we had maintained that instead of this, we propose village development council,” Chyne said.

He said that the two issues have been pending as they needed elaborate discussion.

“We have discussed this matter seriously. We have highlighted to our friends from Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills that in KHADC, we have passed the Village Development Council Bill and we would also like to that even in these two ADCs, they also should pass this Bill so that implementation of village council will not be applicable as we have our own traditional institutions,” Chyne said while adding that “because according to this proposed amendment, the implementation of the village council in the state will dilute the powers and functions of our traditional institutions. We will not like to see our traditional institutions will go away, we would like to see them to remain with our traditional practice that is why we have decided this matter will be discussed in the respective councils soon.”

When asked, the KHADC chief said, “These are the two issues which the central government has written to the state government to look into these issue.”

“Once we clear these two issues, then I think the central government also will be willing to pass this amendment at the earliest possible. Once we give green signal from here I think the Centre will take a call,” he added.

Regarding the number of seats, Chyne said, “We (three ADCs) have already agreed that it should not exceed 40 seats. That we have agreed.”

Further, the three autonomous district councils have also unanimously oppose the implementation of the Swamitva Scheme by the Centre.

“We totally oppose the implementation of this scheme in the state as our land tenure system is totally different from other states in the country. We have our traditional practices, we have our own land holding system in our state so that is why implementation of this scheme in the state is not acceptable,” Chyne said.

Meanwhile, the KHADC chief also informed that they demanded the state government to transfer back the subject relating to issuing of Scheduled Tribe certificate to all the three ADCs as it was done in the past.

“Issuing of PRCs by respective DCs was also discussed. The district administration should first get the confirmation from the ADCs before issuing any PRCs,” he stated.

Two PDF legislators likely to merge with NPP

The two legislators of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) are likely to merge with the National People’s Party (NPP) ahead of the adjourned poll to the Sohiong Assembly seat.

PDF working president and Mawkynrew legislator Banteidor Lyngdoh did not deny the rumour and said that they will discuss the issue at the right time and that there is nothing to write about.

He however admitted that talks are there to merge with the NPP. “Talks are there to merge with the NPP and we will take a call at the right time and let you know,” Lyngdoh said.

The PDF has two MLAs – Lyngdoh and PDF president Gavin M Mylliem, who is also Sohra legislator – in the current 59-member House.

Lyngdoh said he cannot say anything further as decisions will not be taken by him alone.

Meanwhile, two legislators of the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) – Shakliar Warjri (Mawthadraishan) and Methodius Dkhar (Mawshynrut) – have completely denied that there is any move to merge with the ruling NPP.

“There is no such move to merge with the NPP,” Shakliar maintained.