Shillong, Oct 1: Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma on Monday said that the demand for creation of new district was a genuine demand, but expressed the state government’s inability to consider the proposal due to the financial crisis being faced by the state at present.

The Chief Minister conveyed this to a delegation of the South East Khasi Hills District Demand Forum (SEKHDDF) during a meeting at his office chamber in the Secretariat here.

The Forum submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding the upgradation of Sohra Civil Sub-division into a South East Khasi Hills District with its head-quarter at Sohra, which is one of the famous tourist destinations.

Quoting Conrad after the meeting, spokesperson of the Forum, Alan West Kharkongor told reporters that the chief minister has admitted that the demand is a genuine one which should be examined by the government.

“He (Sangma) however expressed the state government’s inability (to consider the demand) in view of the present financial position of the state,” Kharkongor said.

Stating that the meeting was a positive one and is expected that the government will make the demand become a reality, the spokesperson said that creation of new district is the need of the hour for good governance and bring administration much closer to the people.

“Sohra deserved to be upgraded into a district taking into account that it is a fast developing region and has contributed a lot to the state especially in term of tourism,” he said.

Kharkongor said that the demand is gaining momentum especially with the support of the Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy, who is also longest legislator of Shella constituency, and Sohra legislator Gavin Miguel Mylliem, who are both part of the ruling coalition.

With regards to people from Pynursla civil sub-division expressing their unwillingness to be included in the proposed new district, he said that the demand for the creation of the new district only include Shella and Laitkroh blocks and it has no connection with Pynursla.

In 1974, Sohra was made the Administrative Unit and in 1982, it became a full-fledged Civil Sub-Division.

In the memorandum, the chairman of the Forum Atiar Syiemlieh said that the total population of the proposed South East Khasi Hills District is more than 1.5 lakh.

He said that the establishment of the new South East Khasi Hills District with its headquarters at Sohra will ease the process of administration to a great extent, bringing all sorts of benefits to the people directly resulting from an improved, efficient, and speedy administration as well as judiciary services.

“Moreover, the presence of the district headquarters at Sohra will boost trade and commerce and increase economic activities in this area including the southern part bordering Bangladesh. Moreover, there will be improvement in various sectors such as healthcare, education, road connectivity, tourism and hospitality, and vital infrastructure,” Syiemlieh stated.

Historically, in 1829, Sohra or Cherrapunjee became the capital of the British in North East India. In 1841, modern education started in this very place with the founding of schools by Rev. Thomas Jones of the Welsh Mission.

Sohra is regarded as the cradle of Khasi language and culture. A large portion of the prominent educationists and pioneers of education and literary works in the State come from this area. In independent India, Shella-Bholaganj C&RD Block which is situated here was established on 1st April, 1958. In 1974, Sohra was made the Administrative Unit. In 1982, it became a full-fledged Civil Sub-Division.