The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has expressed concern over the non-functional Lumshnong block office and raised questions if the Community and Rural Development Block (C&RD) was created just for the 2023 elections.
The block office was inaugurated in December 2022 by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma “to bring administration closer to the people” but remain unutilised.
Leaders of the JNC said they met East Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner, Abhilash Baranwal on the issue today and were told that the block office was shut down due to non-payment of salary to the employees.
JNC information secretary Mebanteilang Sukhlaiñ said that the organisation was also told that the block office is equipped with two staff, which included a chowkidar and a clerk, and an engineer.
Sukhlaiñ said local MLA, Santa Mary Shylla had work towards creation of the block when she had contested the elections. “We hope she will do the same thing to strengthen and develop the C&RD block like she did earlier. Now that she is in power and in the ruling government, we would like to urge her to work towards the betterment of the people and look into the recruitment process so that the youth are employed,” he added.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner assured that he will take up the matter with the concerned department.