May 26, 2023 - Shillongtoday

UDP asks Govt to implement roster system prospectively

"ago" 2 weeksMay 26, 2023 Shillong Today

SHILLONG, MAY 26: United Democratic Party (UDP) on Friday asked the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government to implement the roster system prospectively.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh and attended by MLAs and leaders of the party.

Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said, “Post May 17 and 19 presentation by the government, we had sat for two meetings (to discuss the matter) and today we decided that it will be appropriate and wise for the government to make the roster system effective from now onwards.”

“We felt that the implementation of the roster system should be henceforth prospectively…(because) there are no proper records maintained and there are no proper roster register being maintained all these years. So it will not be appropriate for anyone to consider that the records available now are correct,” he added.

He said that the party had also raised some points during the meeting convened by the chief minister with MLAs of the MDA that “if needed we will come back to the CM to get clarification as far as reservation and implementation of the roster system is concerned.”

Stating that the issue is very sensitive and very fragile, Lyngdoh, who is also Chairman of the State Planning Board, said, “We need to discuss it at a very serious platform where we can sort out all these concerns.”

He said that the government has formed a committee on roster which will be headed by a cabinet minister adding that the party will also nominate one of its MLAs to represent the party in the committee to address the concerns and issues related to the roster system.

“I would be very specific, on the roster system,” he added.

When asked, Lyngdoh said that the party would also discuss with the government with regards to the need to review the present job reservation policy.

“We have to understand the first part of the matter is the roster system. The roster system is with regards to the present reservation policy. Now, I would like to make it very clear here that as a party we had mentioned very clearly and nobody can deny that in our manifesto the subject of reviewing reservation policy is there. We will initiate this also and we will address this also in the right platform. Since we are also part of the government, we will discuss this with the government and address the concerns on what needs to be reviewed on this reservation,” he stated.

Referring to the ongoing hunger strike by VPP president Ardent M Basaiawmoit, the UDP chief said that the chief minister and cabinet ministers are there and they will look into this matter.

VPP condemns Rakkam for statement against hunger strike by Basaiawmoit

"ago" 2 weeksMay 26, 2023 Shillong Today

SHILLONG, MAY 26: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Friday slammed the Education Minister Rakkam Sangma for terming the ongoing hunger protest by its president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit as “drama politics”.

“The Minister and his colleagues should take the responsibility for creating this situation where an important public issue has to be taken to the street and putting the health of our President in danger. His statement implies that he ridicules and mocks the struggle of the youth from Khasi-Jaintia region of the state as drama,” VPP spokesperson Dr Batskhem Myrboh said in a statement.

He said that in fact, had this Government been responsible and fair enough, without waiting for the matter to reach to the present situation should have taken the responsibility to review the Job Reservation Policy.

Myrboh also said that the Job reservation policy clearly states that population is the basis of the quantum of reservation adding “For his kind knowledge the phrase “in terms of their population” has been clearly stated in line number 8 of the Resolution dated 12.01.1972.”

The party also asked the minister to read the policy till it is understood properly before he makes further irresponsible statement on the matter.

“Regarding his blackmailing tactic that the VPP is playing with fire and the youth of the state would be affected by the likelihood of the job reservation policy of the state which is at present above the 50 per cent limit set by the Supreme Court in 1992, the party would like to enlighten the minister that the independent judiciary in India does not decide cases on the basis of noise or the lack of it. Rather cases are decided as per law and facts placed before it,” Myrboh said.

According to him, in fact it is the duty and responsibility of the NPP led MDA. 2.0 Government to defend the state job reservation policy before the court. “If it fails to defend, it has to take full responsibility,” it added.

MSL 2023: Day of firsts sees Ladthadlaboh’s hopes dealt big blow by Pdengkarong

"ago" 2 weeksMay 26, 2023 Shillong Today

Shillong, May 26: It was a day of firsts in the Meghalaya State League 2023, with each of the four matches bringing something new to the season. However, it will be most remembered for Ladthadlaboh’s surprise 1-0 loss to Youth Club Pdengkarong at the Kiang Nangbah Stadium in Jowai, which could spell disaster for their chances to qualify for the semifinals.

In the other fixtures, Group A witnessed Umkseh come from a goal behind to beat Jyntru 3-2 for their maiden win of the season. It was a similar situation in Group D where Atong Matgrik had to overturn a 3-2 lead at half time to defeat Warima Youth Club 4-3; this was also Atong Matgrik’s first three points of MSL 2023. Finally, in Group C, Mawten and Seven United played out the first goalless draw of the competition.

A massive misjudgement that goalkeeper Juhhi Suchiang will want to forget in a hurry saw Ladthadlaboh concede in the 27th minute after Pdengkarong’s Menri Buam chipped a free-kick into the box in Group B. It should have been collected easily by Suchiang, or at least punched away, but he misjudged the ball and came too far forward, allowing it to sail over his head and into the net.

Although the goal was Suchiang’s fault, at the other end Ladthadlaboh did not look like a team that were challenging for the top of the group. The first half saw them create precious few chances, while it was more promising for them in the second half but none of their attempts found the mark.

The result opens up the way for Rangdajied United to qualify as the top team from Group B. Both Rangdajied and Ladthadlaboh have 10 points each but it is the former who now have a game in hand as well as an advantage in goal difference (+11 compared to +8). Pdengkarong had lost their first three games of the MSL but this win, though they are out of the running for a place in the semifinals, will have brought the team from the Amlarem Block Sports Association and their supporters much joy.

At the MFA Turf in Shillong, Jyntru took the lead in the 33rd minute through a Monush Lapang header. They went into the break still leading by a solitary goal but Umkseh rallied with two goals of their own by Kyrshan Khongsit (57′) and Rangkitbok Rani (61′). Jyntru’s top scorer Emanbha Marbaniang (66′) brought the two sides level once again but Dibasstar Rani’s shot on the run six minutes later gave Umkseh the lead and they went on to win for the first time.

Umkseh, Jyntru and Umrit now have 4 points each but only the latter still have a mathematical chance of making it to the semis as they have a game in hand.

In Tura, Atong Matgrik took a 2-0 lead (thanks to Chingatku N Marak in the eighth minute and Brenath N Marak in the 23rd) against Warima at the Chandmari Ground but then found themselves trailing 3-2 at the end of the first half thanks to a brace by Tremarchwal Ch Marak (26′, 39′) for Warima, which sandwiched an own goal by Atong Matgrik’s Vicky M Sangma (32′).

Vicky (51′) made up for that by scoring the sixth goal of the game to bring Atong Matgrik back on level terms. A corner was headed by Brenath on to the crossbar and Vicky then scored off the rebound.

The last goal of the encounter deserved to be the winning strike as it came about after Walsarang Ch Sangma first put in a bicycle kick that sent the ball towards goal. It probably would not have gone in on its own and thus required Brenath’s (63′) neat little back-heel flick that sent the ball flying into the net.

A first win takes Atong Matgrik off the bottom of the Group D table but they are still only fifth out of six teams with 3 points. Still, they have bragging rights over Warima, who are now in last place with 1 point.

Tomorrow’s fixtures:
Group A, Shillong – Umrit vs Mawlai, 3pm
Group B, Jowai – Mulait United vs Sein Pynbhalang, 2:30pm
Group C, Mawkyrwat – Shillong Lajong vs Pyndengrei, 3pm
Group D, Tura – Selsella Sports Association vs Chipakkore, 3pm