Shillong, June 15: Another opposition Congress legislator has asked the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government to consider creating a new civil sub-division for Mawlai, the biggest constituency in Meghalaya.
The demand came after the state government’s assurance to upgrade Ranikor administrative unit into a full-fledged civil sub-division recently.
“I have submitted a memorandum requesting the state government to consider creation of a civil sub-division in my constituency,†opposition chief whip and Mawlai MLA Process T Sawkmie told reporters after meeting the chief minister, Conrad K Sangma here on Friday.
Stating that Mawlai is largest area in the city with a combination of urban and rural settlements, Sawkmie said, “Only a civil sub-division can do justice to ensure balanced and equitable development and bridge the gap between the two.â€
Justifying his demand, he said according to the 2011 census, the population of Mawlai was 64,021 and at present, the population of the constituency is around 80,000 approximately besides it has a total number of 43,000 voters in the 2018 Assembly elections.
The Congress MLA pointed out that the constituency is also being expanded as people from various parts of the Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills have come and settled and in many places, villages are getting expanded or new villages are coming up.
“Proper infrastructure, such as road connectivity, water supply and electricity is very much needed,†he said adding that the creation of the civil sub-division will also address the unemployment problem faced by educated unemployed youth.
Sawkmie also recalled that when he had raised the issue on whether the government is planning to create more civil sub-divisions in the floor of the Assembly, the reply given was positive and it will be done at an appropriate time.
The Mawlai MLA said that the chief minister has assured him that a survey would be conducted to study whether the proposal is feasible or not.
Earlier Congress legislator from Mawsynram, Himalaya M Shangpliang had also made a similar demand from the state government to create a civil sub-division on ground that it has been a long pending aspiration of the people for the past 15 years.
Senior Congress leader and five-time Ranikor MLA, Martin M. Danggo had announced that he would resign from the party to join the ruling National People’s Party once the civil sub-division in Ranikor is inaugurated.
But Sawkmie claimed that he is not a “bargaining politician†and his demand was part of his role as an elected representative of the people of the constituency.
“I am not a bargaining politician. But I will fight both inside and outside (the house) for the people because it is also the duty of the chief minister to look after the interest and welfare of the people of the state,†said Sawkmie who is also the Opposition’s chief whip in Assembly.
According to Sawkmie, the political carreer of Ranikor MLA will be affected if he takes hasty decision on the matter.
“Why do we need to rush when we have been elected not for only 100 days,†Sawkmie said, adding that he would give time to the government to examine and consider his proposal to make Mawlai a new civil sub-division.