SHILLONG:
Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president and Lok Sabha MP, Vincent Pala shared his perspective on the 10-month performance of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government and expressed dissatisfaction, particularly focusing on the government’s commitment to employment, coal mining, and environmental concerns.
Pala acknowledged the government’s promise to generate employment for five lakh people but criticised the lack of progress in fulfilling this commitment. He emphasised that, even when dividing the target over five years, the employment figures remain at zero.
The issue of coal mining, a significant aspect of the MDA manifesto, has also seen no tangible development, according to Pala. He highlighted the absence of mining licenses and pointed out that, instead, numerous coal plants have been established, causing environmental degradation and negatively impacting the local population.
The decision to allow coal plants, driven by financial interests, has resulted in adverse effects on the West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and the entire border region. Pala condemned the government’s actions, stating that they prioritised monetary gain over environmental concerns.
In conclusion, Pala expressed his belief that the government’s performance is far from satisfactory, and he anticipated that voters would reconsider their choices in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
He attributed the MDA’s return to power to internal divisions within the Congress but emphasised that people would likely reassess their preferences in future elections.