SHILLONG: Voice of the People Party (VPP) leader and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit tabled a comprehensive 10-point charter in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, sharply criticizing state administration and demanding systemic reforms across education, recruitment, land rights, border security, labor welfare, and resource management.
Key Demands and Issues Raised:
Development Transparency: Basaiawmoit called for scrapping the Lumpongdeng project and insisted that all development initiatives require meaningful public consultation, transparency, and environmental and social impact disclosures. He questioned project management by the Taj Group and alleged undue influence by an individual, B Rai, over various state projects.
Education Sector: He urged an end to the harassment of experienced teachers, called for upskilling rather than retrospective application of qualification benchmarks, and opposed the Meghalaya Private College Act 2025 for undermining institutional autonomy. He criticized the withdrawal of UGC pay scales, delays in post-retirement benefits, and overburdening teachers with non-academic duties.
Recruitment Integrity: Basaiawmoit demanded independent Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and District Selection Committees (DSC), removal of political appointees, transparent selection criteria, and action against corruption. He cited irregularities in recent DSC exams and called for the cancellation and inquiry of the process.
End to Service Extensions: He called for an end to job extensions for retired personnel, advocating transparent and necessity-based re-engagement to create opportunities for youth.
Labor Welfare: He highlighted irregular salary payments and lack of regularization for long-serving casual workers across state departments.
Land Rights: Basaiawmoit demanded a halt to quiet leasing and illegal land acquisitions, reaffirming that community land decisions must involve local Dorbar Shnong consent, not unilateral government action.
Border Security & Immigration: He urged enhanced surveillance and documentation in border areas, strict penalties for human trafficking, and a transparent process to identify and deport illegal immigrants, referencing the 1985 Assam Accord and recent displacement events.
Environmental Compliance: He called for halting non-compliant coke and cement plants and demanded the cancellation of the Lum Shyrman public hearing for the Shree Cement plant due to lack of transparency.
Resource Management: Basaiawmoit advocated replacing total bans on coal, stone, and sand mining with sustainable, scientifically-regulated frameworks that ensure environmental safeguards, equitable royalties, and worker protections.
Basaiawmoit concluded by urging the government to prioritize public interest, transparency, and indigenous rights in all policy decisions, warning that current practices risk undermining both the environment and the rights of local communities.
(4FrontMedia news)
