Shillong, March 09: As part of its ongoing interaction in the 39 C&RD Blocks, to review the implementation and challenges faced by the Village Employment Councils of Meghalaya in implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, and IAY schemes, Shri. John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board, and Co-Chairman, MSPB – Working Group -3 held an interaction with the Rangbah Shnong, Secretary Shnong, Chairman, Secretary, and Women’s representatives of 99 Village Employment Councils (VEC), under Khliehriat C&RD Block. A separate meeting was also held with the Gram Sevaks to listen to their challenges and views.
Prior to the meeting a one minute silence was held in rememberance of the Shri. Batskhem Lyngdoh, Dolloi Elaka Rymbai, who was to attend the meeting but who suddenly passed away that same morning.
After an interaction of over three hours the unanimous suggestions from the Rangbah Shnong, Chairman, Secretary of the VECs were as follows :- 1. that the State Government consider increasing the daily wages 2. that there should be timely release of funds to the VECs 3. that there should be less paper work – too many registers 4. that there should be more Junior Engineers and Cashiers at the Block deputed for MGNREGS 5. that a vehicle be allotted in each Block for MGNREGS work 6. that there should be more flexibility in convergence mode 7. that there should be review and increase of TA to Gram Sevaks 8. that Banks should simplify the process of release of release of MGNREGS to beneficiaries 9. that one official common room be allotted for the Gram Sevaks in each Block 10. to enhance the target of disabled and widow beneficiaries 11. to review and increase the material cost 12. to allow repair and maintenance for village roads 13. to ensure availability of Rollers for village road construction 14. to allow the Khliehrait C&RD Block to do black topping of village roads 15. to allocate funds for Honorarium to the VEC officials as provided for in the panchayats in the rest of the country.
Mr John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, MSPB, stated that there is a felt need for State Government to set up a specific separate cadre for Rural Development so as to provide promotional avenues to the employees. He also stated that it was the need of the hour to provide for an Honorarium to the Village Chiefs, Chairman, Secretary’s of VECs as they were providing voluntarily services in the implementation of numerous schemes of most departments. He urged the C&RD Block in helping the Villages to have their own maps for their effective administration and planning. He also called for compilation of all the those villages who have maintaining till date Village Forest (Khlaw Adong) and to submit their information to the BDO. He congratulated the Khliehriat C&RD block under East Jaintia Hills, for having achieved the first rank in implementation of MGNREGS in Meghalaya.
Others who spoke and attended the interaction were Rangbah Shnong Kliehriat, ADC Khliehriat, Shri. Manbha Kyndoh, Dolloi Narpuh, Shri. E Sutnga, Dolloi Elaka Sutnga, and other officers under Khliehriat C&RD Block.(SP News)
