JOWAI:
The Jaintia National Council (JNC), on July 22, asked the state government to fulfil its promise to the people of Jaintia Hills by coming up with the mini secretariat in Jowai, as assured by the Chief Minister.
Referring to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s statement that a mini secretariat will help bring in development in the district, JNC reminded the chief minister that the foundation stone for setting up a mini secretariat in Jowai was laid held last year in December.
“However, till date, there is no trace of the mini secretariat. Is this only for election purposes?” JNC asked.
The chief minister made this statement in response to the demand by the Garo Hills-based group – ACHIK for a winter capital in Tura, where Sangma had said there will be large investments as well as administrative reforms at Tura with the functioning of the mini secretariat.
The JNC also stated that despite its huge contribution to the state’s exchequer, Jaintia Hills is one of the most neglected regions, “which means till now, the government only takes not gives.”
The council also questioned the government’s delay in completing the Iawmusiang building complex, which are a long pending issue since 2006.
“We would like to put this question: Does Jaintia Hills have no rights for development? Stop focussing only on one side in terms of development; Jaintia too deserves development,” JNC stated.