Umsning MLA Dr Celestine Lyngdoh today raised the matter of the supposed abandonment of the Patharkmah civil sub-division office in Ri-Bhoi.
In reply, General Administration Minister Rakkam A Sangma told the Assembly that 11 acres had been donated to the government for civil sub-division offices and so that job posts could be created to make the sub-division fully functional. A proposal for fencing and a permanent building for the sub-division’s offices is under process.
Earlier, Dr Lyngdoh said that the sub-division had been left unattended for several years, with no fencing or boundary pillars erected on the donated land even after 15 years. This has led to encroachment on the land, which is being eaten away.
“When can we expect if not complete fencing then at least boundary pillars?” the opposition Congress Party MLA asked.
At present, officials deputed to the sub-division travel there only twice a week, he added. Before, when it was an administrative unit, the officials were only there once a week and there is thus little benefit to having been upgraded to a sub-division, Dr Lyngdoh opined.
