Shillong, Apr 6: Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem today led a delegation of villagers under his constituency to meet Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on problems faced by villagers due to damages caused by natural calamities.
The 20 villages under Pahamrioh, Shangbangla, Pahammawlein, Sohkhwai, Umsohma and Umladoh were represented by their respective headmen in the meeting with Rymbui.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Syiem informed that the villagers urged the state government to expedite the process for releasing funds from the State Disaster Management Authority to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
According to the legislator, delay in the disbursement of funds is a cause of concern for the people affected by natural calamities.
“Delay in funds disbursement always affects a farmer and families, those who need immediate relief,” Syiem said.
He also said that there was a discussion on increasing the fund allocation under the DDMA, so that each district can address matters promptly rather than expending time waiting for approval from the state during emergencies.
“This would enable immediate distribution of essential relief material like rations, CGI sheets, etc to the affected families and farmers,” the Nongpoh MLA stated.
He informed that during the recent natural calamity on March 17, around 243 villages were affected in Ri-Bhoi district alone by heavy rain, hail and powerful winds.
Meanwhile, B Lyngdoh Mawnai, Rangbah Shnong of Shangbangla, stated that the recent natural calamity not only destroyed homes but also agricultural produce like betel nuts and bananas.
Mawnai urged the authorities to speed up the process of giving relief for the benefit of the villagers.
