STAFF REPORTER
SHILLONG:
Lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) legislator Adelbert Nongrum on Saturday said that he will continue to take up the issues raised by him with the state government.
Although the cabinet recently approved one of the issues – enhancement of upper age limit in appointment to services under the state government –four other demands are still pending.
“The government can handle all these issues on its own, like enhancement of the age limit for appointments in government jobs. We need such political will, the other issues are also state subjects which can be directly handled by it,” Nongrum told reporters.
Nongrum ended his peaceful demonstration, which according to him was his democratic right, on Saturday.
The KHNAM legislator from North Shillong also said that he would take the remaining issues to their logical conclusion in different forums be it in the assembly or outside.
“We were elected by the citizens of the state and we should ensure that issues which affect the youths should be fulfilled,” he added.
He also said that raising the age limit in appointment to government jobs was a gift to the people in the Golden Jubilee year of formation of the state even as he hoped that the other four issues will be resolved by January 26.
Nongrum also said that he does not want to put pressure on the government on issues that require the intervention of the Centre (ILP) or Assam (border dispute).
He also said that the government should immediately implement development work in the disputed areas like providing drinking water, building schools and colleges and health care infrastructure.
“So that people living in those areas do not have to depend on another state,” Nongrum added.
He also said that he would not take credit for the government raising the age limit but the recognition should go those to who deserve it.
Nongrum said that holding the protest and boycotting the Golden Jubilee celebration does not mean that he is against the government.
“There are times we should praise the government and there are times that we should oppose certain policies,” he added.
He also said that he did not attend the Golden Jubilee celebration because the government does not have a vision document on how to go forward as a state.
It may be mentioned that Nongrum had recently submitted a memorandum urging the government to revisit the reservation policy in various government departments and admissions to educational institutions, creation of separate ‘Meghalaya State cadre’ for IAS, IPS and IFS, relocation of the Sweeper’s Colony and resolution of the state boundary issues apart from raising of the age limit.