The Rambrai Community and Rural Development Block was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today making it the 48th block in the State.
The Rambrai block is carved out from the Nongstoiñ C&RD block of West Khasi Hills. It will cover an area of 584.628 square km with 109 villages and a population of 36148.
Rambrai is about 20 kms from the district headquarter of West Khasi Hills with Khasi and Garo forming the major communities in the area.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the creation of the new block will ensure better governance at the grassroot level. He also said developmental activities will be upscaled and services of the government will be delivered in an efficient manner.
“C&RD blocks are the most important administrative units when it comes to schemes and programmes. The blocks should be accessible to the people across the State. People of Rambrai had to face difficulties, as they had to travel to far off places for basic services of the government. The inauguration of the block will ensure that the services are brought closer to the people”.
He also informed that the government is coming up with a revised norm to facilitate applications for different certificates to be availed from the block offices. “People can apply for various certificates at the block level but applications will be processed at the sub division level,” he added.
Stating that the Rambrai area has been neglected for long, the Chief Minister said that through various interventions, the government is ensuring that the people reap the benefits of development in the State.
He said that the work for Nongstoiñ – Rambrai – Kyrshai road is underway and will soon be completed. “Due to poor road connectivity in the area, the people had to face a lot of hardship. We are ensuring that this important road link is completed,” he added.
The road is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 231 cr.
He also told the people that the Rambrai PHC will also be upgraded to CHC and the foundation for the upgradation will be laid at the earliest. He told the gathering that a number of LP Schools under Rambrai have been either repaired or renovated recently and few will be constructed.
He also said that the Rambrai C&RD block will be fully functional from the temporary office, while the new building is being constructed.
During his visit to Rambrai, the Chief Minister handed over financial assistance through Meghalaya’s Biggest Farmers’ Welfare Program Focus and Focus Plus and distributed piglets and Kuroiler birds under Rural Backyard Piggery and Poultry Scheme “Progress” and financial aid to youth organisations under Yess Meghalaya and to Community Investment Funds to women led SHGs.
Is the Chief Minister trying to stifles the voice of dissent in the State? Is the intolerance a way forward for this NPP led Government in Meghalaya?
The members of Hynniewtrep Youth Council as part of the Save Hynniewtrep Mission, were holding a peaceful protest at Rambrai on November 9, 2022 with an objective to remind the Chief Minister our Nine Points of demands included in the Save Hynniewtrep Mission.
The protest which is supposed to be peaceful and democratic in anticipation of the Chief Minister’s arrival at the C&RD Block and his subsequent opinion on the same. However, the police broke into the protest stifling the voice of protesters who are members of HYC and disbanded the protest by taking away all the placards and flags of the organization. In the melee, some members were hurt by the police action.
But still the members present there shouted slogans when the CM’s convoy passed through them making him known of the demands under the SHM.
The ability to hold peaceful protests and voicing opinions is a basic constitutional right in a democracy. After the lathi-charge on the protesting teachers, the action taken by the MDA government’s police force today at Rambrai on our mebers is yet another undemocratic step in a series of violent breach of democracy and another attempt by this government to stifle the dissenting voice and opinions of the people in the State.
However, let us make one thing clear, these actions will only make us more emboldened and more actions from our side will follows in the days to come.
