Calling the shutdown of the internet ‘a bankruptcy of ideas’, leader of opposition and Trinamool Congress leader Dr. Mukul Sangma today said that the MDA government gave a knee-jerk reaction by shutting down the internet.
“During my tenure, not even on a single occasion did we shut down the internet in the name of restoring order, peace, and law. This is a reflection of a bankruptcy of ideas,” Dr. Sangma said at an interaction programme with women of North Shillong constituency today.
The prerogative of the event was to build more human connection between a political leader and the local female residents of the area. A large congregation of women across the city from all walks of lives enthusiastically came forward with their questions which were heartily addressed by Dr. Sangma.
While answering a grave question as to what measures could the MDA government have taken to prevent the Mukroh tragedy, Dr. Sangma replied, “The brutal killings could have been avoided because the brutalities were not a result of community clash, but an act perpetrated by the government authorities. There should have been pre-emptive measures, which were missing. The dialogue between the two governments was missing.”
Answering a question regarding the MDA government’s infrastructural collapse, Dr. Sangma drew a comparison to his tenure of governance. “The education department had a budget that only accommodated salaries and no infrastructural support. We ensured government colleges in every district from only two colleges in the State. In Mawphlang, we established a college of science and commerce. In Garo hills, we have colleges for engineering, and architecture funded by the Central government.”
About the funding acquired by the then-government, he recalled, “We were grappling with funds since the fund was available only for salaries and pensions. We reached out to the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, JAICA, and other funding support. We embarked upon a new programme by Asian Development Bank called the Human Capital Development Programme. It was inclusive of smart classrooms and furniture in the era of technology. We started a teachers’ training programme with the funds.”
While answering a very consequential question about the traffic in Shillong city, Dr. Sangma said, “To ease out traffic congestion and to promote tourism during my tenure, I initiated four-lane construction on the Jorabat-Shillong route. Eastern Bypass alone is not sufficient. Unfortunately, the government of the day wasted five years by not paying attention to important routes such as Western Bypass.”
He added, “In 2012, we released a beautiful public transport system. I embarked upon the public bus along with my colleagues to inaugurate it. The reality of traffic snarls needs to be understood first for a sustainable resolution.”
During the interactive session, a question on women’s inclusion in the political scenario of Meghalaya was pertinently raised by a female resident. Eloquently answering the question, Dr. Sangma commented, “The involvement of women in the process of democracy is extremely crucial.”
He added, “My mother aspired to be a politician but she couldn’t due to the circumstances, however she passed her dreams on to her children.”
During the event, Meghalaya TMC leader James Lyngdoh and North Shillong TMC Block president Elgiva Gwyneth Rynjah were also present.
