Weeks of incessant rain downpour that caused rivers and streams across Meghalaya to burst out have triggered havoc and mayhem destroying life and property throughout the State. The level of river bodies has been pumped up and swelled way beyond the normal level. However, a day after the weather pushed back to normal the office of the MeECL is all set for the load shedding or power regulation in the State.
One thing as a layman of which I totally failed to understand is, when there is less rainfall causing river to shrink away from the desired level, there will be load shedding because of a power shortage and whereas during this time the load shedding is because the water level at the reservoirs is way beyond normal. However, those reasons may be too basic for the consequences we faced.
On careful collection of all the facts and figures, it was revealed that the Generator Stage IV Power Station at Nongkhyllem which is of 30 MW is out of order since 2019. Further, the 30 MW Generator Stage III Power Station at Kyrdemkulai has been non-functioning since 2021. It is to be noted, both stages of the generator have been left unrepaired by the Power Department ever since.
To add more to the ongoing trouble, it was learnt that the 42 MW power machine at Leshka Power Station is out of order since mid June 2022. So to summarise, the State unnecessarily loses a total of 102 MW of power during the rainy season and that too with rivers at their maximum capacity. Whom to blame now? Mr. Power Minister, are you aware of the figure mentioned above? Mr. Chief Minister, are there any other new projects or ventures your government plans to announce while the existing development gives us nothing but issues and problems?
Let us take a look at the recent HSSLC and SSLC results recently declared by MBOSE. Everything went fine except the fact that government schools are out of the Top 20 (Twenty) List in both the examinations. Why and how are the questions that our Honourable Education Minister needs to give an explanation. Ironically, while all the heads of government schools, teachers are deputed and appointed on an officiating mode that has become the latest trend the Education Department is in favour of implementing.
From secondary to higher secondary schools and even in sub-division and district levels, all heads are being deputed or appointed on officiating basis for the reason best known to the department. Well-experienced, skilled and highly qualified deserving in-services candidates are being discriminated against for their promotional rights as this government feels that they do not meet its criteria or interest. Hence, officiating basis is the new method the government invented for the personal gain of those in power. Reforms and policies within the Education Department seem to be dictated and controlled by the powerful.
Now the monsoon has just lasted a day or two, however it revealed and exposed the government’s false development in terms of the road sector. Internal roads in every nook and corner of the State itself are devastated. While maintenance and repair works of such roads have been done just a few months back, suddenly they were found to be torn and worn out with potholes as large as a mini pond disrupting the traffic flow, causing road accidents and most importantly proving risky to pedestrians and school going children commuting daily from these roads. What has the PWD been doing all these times in repairing the roads? Filling the holes with soil and pebbles at the most and giving the contractor the utmost liberty to carry on the repair work at his/her own free will without proper supervision?
From garbage issues to power, roads, education and healthcare, Jaintia Hills region is one such region that became a victim to this government’s exploitation in the name of development. What are you all the seven MLAs representing us for? Are you chosen by the people to simply get busy inaugurating granite stones while boosting your own personal business?
In conclusion, I appeal to all the voters from the Jaintia Hills region to wisely exercise your franchise while taking the final decision of whom do we choose to represent us in 2023. We certainly do not want to remain backward in terms of progress and development. So, let’s stop choosing politicians or persons who simply speak for themselves and their own business gains. Let’s bring a new change for the interest of development of the region. Only then shall we prevail.
(The writer is a prominent person of Jaiñtia Hills and resides at Panaliar, Jowai)
