Rupa Marak hailed for raising upgrade of Dadenggre

Staff Reporter

Tura, March 3: In a show of solidarity and determination, the GSU Zonal Dadenggre, led by Tengsan M Marak, President of GSU WZ North Dadenggre, has extended its heartfelt gratitude to MLA of Dadenggre, Rupa Marak, for advocating the elevation of Dadenggre sub-division to a full-fledged district during the recent budget session. This pivotal moment has emboldened the community’s longstanding demands, igniting hope for swift action.

“This will be our foremost demand in 2024 regarding district status,” asserts Tengsan M Marak. “Under the GSU Western Zone North, Dadenggre, we reiterate our call for the creation of Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division into a fully-fledged district.”

Despite being the oldest civil sub-division in Garo Hills, Dadenggre has lagged behind Resubelpara and Ampati, both of which have achieved district status. All three sub-divisions were established in 1982, yet Dadenggre remains overlooked despite its larger population and jurisdictional area.

“Our demand for district status has persisted for 25 years,” emphasizes Tengsan M Marak.

Advocates of the upgrade highlight its potential to generate employment opportunities and enhance accessibility to administration for residents in remote villages. As bona fide citizens, they implore the government to address this matter promptly.

Moreover, the community pledges to engage with local MLAs from the six constituencies under Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division—Phulbari, Rajabala, Selsella, Tikrikilla, Raksamgre, and Dadenggre—to unite efforts towards fulfilling this demand and advancing the welfare of all constituents.

In a united front, the people of Dadenggre aspire for recognition and development, rallying behind their call for district status to bring about transformative change and inclusivity.

Meghalaya State BJP waiting for central nod to new executive members

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 9: BJP leader and cabinet minister AL Hek has informed that the list of the new state executive members is awaiting the approval of the central leadership.

“This morning I spoke to the newly elected president Rikman G Momin, who is on the way to Delhi with a list for the approval of the central leaders. After getting the approval, they will publish the names of the new state executive members of the party,” Hek told reporters.

On the party’s preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Hek said that his name is among the three ticket aspirants for the Shillong parliamentary seat.

“However, I don’t know who the other two names are. So we will see who from the three names will be the best choice for contesting from Shillong parliamentary seat,” he said while adding “Among the three, whoever will be chosen, we will have to work hard and ensure win in this upcoming Lok Sabha election.”

On TMC leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma joining the BJP, Hek however said the door of the BJP is not only open to TMC but also to all political parties.

“Mukul Sangma can join at any time he wants. I welcome him anytime but we have not discussed so how will I know if he is joining or not. But for us the door is open to anybody who wants to come to the BJP,” he said.

Hek also said that he has no idea on whether Mukul Sangma is in touch or not with the BJP central leadership.

Govt still waiting for Centre on ILP

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sep 20: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said the State government is still waiting for the response from the Centre on the resolution adopted by the Assembly for implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.

“The State government has been consistently following it up with the union home ministry on the issue of ILP and the State is waiting for the response from the Government of India on the matter,” Sangma told the Assembly.

Replying to a zero-hour notice, Sangma informed that a State delegation led by him had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on August 8, urging his intervention into the various issues concerning the State which include implementation of the ILP.

He said that the State government had also submitted a memorandum on the matter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the State in 2021.

Sangma said that the demand for ILP grew louder in Meghalaya after the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by the Centre.

In view of this, the State Assembly had adopted the official resolution for the implementation of ILP in 2019. The resolution was sent to the MHA on December 23, 2019 followed by a reminder on November 17, 2020.

Need of reservation policy for vulnerable section: Hek

BJP leader and cabinet minister AL Hek on Friday asserted the need for the reservation policy to give priority to the vulnerable section of the society in the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills region.

“If you ask me, everybody should get justice. Why not now the job reservation policy give priority to the vulnerable society of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo and also some percentage for the established families (of the three tribes). However, 50 per cent should be reserved for Khasi, Jaintia and Garo from the vulnerable section of the society,” Hek told reporters.

He added, “Let this also come out why only think about rich people. Give a chance to the poorest of the poor also (so that they can) at least stand on their feet, have their own position, and look after their family very well.”

Hek said, “Now we are getting 40:40 (from this), we will make it 50 per cent for the vulnerable society of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo and another 30 per cent of which 15 per cent will go Khasi-Jaintia and 15 per cent to Garo. What is wrong as all 80 per cent will go to our own community only. By doing this, the benefit will come to the poor people of the state of Meghalaya who are the tribal people.”

He said there are so many poor people who from generation to generation, their family were not given the opportunity to get a government job.

As far as the implementation of the roster system is concerned, Hek said he had convened a meeting with all senior BJP leaders to discuss this issue.

“We have not called entire leaders of BJP who are from Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills but only few leaders who are stationed in Shillong. Now, we have decided and told our president Ernest Mawrie also yesterday that we want this meeting to be called immediately with all the members including from Garo Hills, Jaintia Hills to discuss this sensitive issue which is prevailing in this present situation in the state of Meghalaya,” he said.

Further, the BJP leader also referred to the deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong’s statement that the government had filed an affidavit three times before the High Court for implementing the roster prospectively and said, “So the government has taken initiative on this issue.”

He said that they expect the chief minister to call the cabinet meeting anytime to discuss this sensitive issue.