Shillong, Nov 2: Officials of the Meghalaya government visited Lynshing village under Mawkynrew Block in East Khasi Hills on Friday and enlightened residents of the village in the wake of a section of residents decided to not to avail benefits being offered by the government through various schemes as they believe that “the end of the world is near.”

Government officials from the Health Department, Block Development Officer and representatives of the World Vision India enlightened the villagers during a special awareness programme and Gospel musical evening organized at the village by the Dorbar Shnong Lynshing with the support of the government.

Director of Health Services, Dr T.S. Nongkhlaw, BDO, L.T . Tariang and other speakers spoke at length about the importance of working together between the people and the government for the overall development of the area, and urged the villagers to find out the truth and not to fall into bondages of superstition.

Lynshing village has around 300 households. Some persons in the village who decided not to participate and accept government schemes include those working as labourers in projects under MGNREGS, and decided not to accept ration scheme, health scheme, housing scheme for the poor, taking part in election process and other activities as they believe that the world will be over soon.

While Aadhar enrolment is the main reason that brought fear among the people to the extent of rejecting various government schemes, the believe among them that “the end of the world is near” get stronger after some unknown persons from outside came to preach in the village that they have to live independently and need not worry as the world will be over soon.

People feared that Aadhar number is ‘666’ the number of the beasts.

However some residents have now realized that they were misguided, and started accepting the government schemes now.

Pervious Bina, who had given up government schemes such as housing scheme (PMAY), working as jobcard holders under MGNREGS has now understood that her believe that “the end of the world is near” was just an imagination, since the world did not end as she along with others had believed.

“I have decided that I should take part in the MGNREGS and other schemes of the government and live together in the village,” Bina, a mother five children said.

Mawkynrew BDO, L.T Tariang said that out of 66 Village Employment Councils, around 8 VECs did not work properly and they did not come forward to propose projects under MGNREGS.

Tariang also admitted that Aadhar was the main cause that made people fear to the extent of refusing various government schemes from December last year.

On Aadhar enrolment, Tariang said that the government did not force anybody to go for Aadhar enrolment, but will wait for the people to come and enroll by themselves.

He said that through the Block Office, women in various villages were encouraged to form self help groups and the block now has more than 240 SHGs.

“We are happy to know that some residents who rejected the ration cards have now come forward after they realized that they have been misguided,” the BDO said.

Sordar of Lynshing, Raison Nongrum said that the Dorbar Shnong was facing serious problem in implementing various government schemes in the village.

In the last Assembly elections, around 200 out of 900 voters in Lynshing did not exercise their franchise since they thought that the voting machines have been linked with Aadhar.

Some of the residents who went to cast their vote carried a stick with them for pressing the button on the voting machines, and they did not press with their finger as they fear that the machines have been linked with Aadhar.

Nongrum said that out of around 255 jobcard holders, around 100 of them were not willing to work.

On the occasion, some schools that achieve 100 per cent during the Measles-Rubella vaccination were felicitated.

The villagers were enthralled with songs from bands from Shillong and a choir from the village during the musical evening, besides various entertainment activities.