SHILLONG: The MLA of the Nongpoh constituency, Mayralborn Syiem, along with village leaders from Pamrioh, Umskun, Shangbangla, 20 Mer, Sohkwai, Lailad, and other neighboring villages, met today with the Minister of Revenue & Disaster Management, Lahkmen Rymbui.
This meeting was held to convey the hardships faced by the residents following the destruction caused by natural calamities and storms that occurred in the past few days.
Speaking to the media, Syiem urged the Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management to ensure that the Government expedites the release of funds to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). This, he stated, is necessary so that the DDMA can immediately distribute assistance to the affected residents and farmers.
He noted that every year, during the months of March and April, houses frequently suffer from roof damage due to storms. The MLA suggested that the District should maintain a ready stockpile of corrugated tin sheets to be distributed promptly to poor families whose homes have been damaged by natural disasters.
He urged the Government to allocate more funds to the DDMA so that Deputy Commissioners (DCs) can release aid without waiting for long periods of approval from the state capital, Shillong.
Syiem expressed deep concern that even though the Government intends to help, the process of releasing funds often takes years.
“The problem is that the affected families do not receive immediate assistance. It takes years to receive the money promised by the Government, and this makes the citizens feel even more distressed,” the Nongpoh MLA stated.
He emphasized that the Government must change this modus operandi and ensure that aid reaches the hands of the victims in a timely manner, so that they can rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
