Mondal assures to take up demand for new C&RD block for Umdohlun-Wahkaji  before Cabinet

SHILLONG, MAY 10: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and traditional heads on Wednesday demanded the immediate creation of a new C&RD Block in South West Khasi Hills District.

A delegation led by the KSU South West Khasi Hills District and traditional chiefs of over 44 villages of the Umdohlun-Wahkaji area also met and submitted a reminder letter to the Minister in-charge Community and Rural Development AT Mondal, requesting his immediate intervention into the matter.

After the meeting, KSU-SWKH president Forwardman Nongrem said, “We have requested the government through the minister to consider this long pending demand of the people of 44 villages for the creation of a new C&RD Block either at Umdohlun or Wahkaji.”

“The minister has assured the delegation to take up the proposal before the cabinet for its decision,” he added.

When asked, Nongrem admitted that the government should live up to its commitment to bring administration closer to the people.

“We have seen many times that the chief minister has stated that the government is a government of the people. Therefore, we feel it is high time for the government to consider this demand of the people of these 44 villages because a C&RD block is the only realistic way to bring the people closer to the government,” he said.

Nongrem said at present some of these villages are falling under the Mawkyrwat Block and some under the Ranikor block.

According to him, some of these villages are situated in the remotest areas of the district and people have to travel long distances about 60 kms and more while some have to walk on foot for over 3-4 hours to reach Mawkyrwat and Ranikor block offices.