Even as the Saipung C&RD Block was carved out of the Khliehriat block in April, 2001 its office has been stationed at about 41 km away at Latyrke village, with infrastructure there being left abandoned.
According to the Synjuk Ki Waheh Shnong, Ri Jaiñtia the Saipung block office ever since its creation was functioning from Khliehriat with minimal resources and infrastructure. It was in 2012 that the office building including staff quarters were constructed in Saipung. However, these were left abandoned after the office was shifted to Latyrke in 2016.
“The reason over which the office was shifted was never made known to the general public, which has negatively impacted the implementation of various government schemes especially in the area and villages which falls within the jurisdiction of Saipung Sirdarship as they are geographically located in afar-off remote places from where the Saipung block office is presently made to function,” Zosiama Thianglai, president of the Synjuk ki Waheh Shnong, Saipung sirdarship circle said.
He pointed out that this has also encouraged various line departments to remain lethargic and failed to serve the public. The Child Development Project Officer is one of the offices that failed to function in Saipung, he said, adding that there are also various other line department which have office building, but the officers and staffs are never present to be seen.
The synjuk rue that this has slowed down the pace of development as the block office has failed to serve the purpose for which it was created. “This has not only brought shame to the government and has shattered the hope of the people in the good service of the government as envisaged in the Constitution,” they added.
The synjuk meanwhile has petitioned East Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner on the issue to activate the block office.
