-By Shri. O. R Shallam
Panaliar, Jowai-
After weeks of incessant rain downpour that caused rivers and streams across the state to burst out causing havoc and mayhem destroying life and property throughout the state. The level of rivers bodies has been pumped up and risen way beyond the normal level. However, a day after the weather push back to normal the Office of the MeECL is all set for the load shedding or Power regulation in the town and its surrounding areas. One thing as a layman of which I totally failed to understand is, when there is less rainfall causing river to shrink away from the desired level, there will be load shedding because of a power shortage and whereas during this time load shedding is because the river level is way beyond normal. However, those reasons may be too basic for the consequences we faced. Therefore, on careful collection of all the facts and figures, it was reveal that the Generator Stage IV Power Station at Nongkhyllem which is of 30MW is out of order since 2019, further, the 30MW Generator Stage III Power Station at Kyrdemkulai is non- functioning since 2021. It is to be noted, both stages of Generator are left unrepaired by the Power Department ever since. To add more to the ongoing trouble, it was learnt that the 42MW Power machine at Leshka Power Station ran out of order during mid June 2022. So to summaries, the State unnecessary loses a total of 102MW power during rainy season and that too with rivers at their maximum capacity. Whom to blame now? Mr. Power Minister, are you aware of the figure mentioned above? Mr. Chief Minister are there any other new projects or ventures your Government plan to announce while the existing development gives us nothing but issues and problems?
Let us take a look at the recent HSSLC and SSLC results recently declared by MBOSE. Everything went fine but the fact that Government schools are out of the Top 20 (Twenty) List in both the Exam. Why and how are the questions that our Honorable Education Minister needs to give an explanation. Ironically, while all the Heads of Government Institutions, Teachers are a deputed and appointed on an officiating mode that has become the latest trend the Department is in favour of implementing. From Secondary to Higher Secondary schools and even in Sub-Divisions and District level, all Heads are being deputed or appointed on officiating basis for the reason best known to the Department. Well- experiences, skilled and highly intellectual deserving in-services candidates are being discriminated of their promotional rights as this Government felt that they do not meet its criteria or interest. Hence, officiating basis is the new method the Government invented for the personal gain of those in power. Reforms and policies within the Department seem to be dictated and controlled by the Powerful.
Now the monsoon have just lasted a day or two, however it revealed and exposed the government false development in terms of Roads. Internal roads in every nook and corner of the region and the state itself are devastated, while maintenance and repairing work has been done few months back were found to be torn and worn out with pot holes as large as a mini pond disrupting the traffic flow, causing road accidents and most importantly proves risky to pedestrian and school going children commuting daily from these roads. What has the PWD been doing all these times in repairing the roads? Filling the holes with soil and pebbles at the most and giving the Contractor the utmost liberty to carry on the repair work at his/her own free will without proper supervision?
From garbage issues to power, roads, education and healthcare services: Jaintia hills region is one such region who became a victim to this government exploitation in the name of development. What has you all the seven (7) MLA’ are representing us for? Are you chosen by the people to simply getting busy inaugurating granite stones while boosting your own personal business?
In concluding, I urges to appeal to all the voters from Jaintia Hills region to wisely exercise your franchise while taking the final decision of whom do we choose to represent us in 2023. We certainly do not want to remain backward in terms of progress and development. So, let’s stop choosing politician or persons who simply speak for themselves and their own business gains. Let’s bring a new change for the interest of development of the region. Only then do we prevail.