Shillong, April 24: The Jaintia Students Union (JSU) writes to The Chief Minister, Govt. of Meghalaya to Utilize DMF Fund for improving healthcare facilities in the mining affected areas of Jaintia Hills to fight COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Jaintia Students’ Union through a letter by Mr. Lawyerson War, President JSU Central Body and Mr. Eddy Kery Pohtam President JSU War Jaintia Circle states that the Government should utilize the DMF Fund for the creation of primary and secondary health care facilities in the mining affected areas with necessary infrastructure, equipment, staffing and supplies which is one of the scope covered under the PMKKKY in accordance with the District Mineral Foundation Rules 2017.
The union feels that it would greatly help the people in the mining areas to have easy access to health facilities needed at this very crucial time which the state and especially the Jaintia Hills is currently lacking, if the epidemic crisis gets worsen.
The JSU of War Jaintia Circle had in the month of June 2019 through its letter to the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills seeks for the implementation of the various scopes of the PMKKKY under the DMF fund in the Dolloiship of Nongtalang Elaka but are yet to see any developments so far. Also, it is a well-known fact that mining lease holders have already contributed the required funds for the purpose of the DMF.
As to the status of fund utilization and the current state of the DMF, the JSU demands that the Government should immediately provide the required information to the general public of the Jaintia Hills and the State since especially we are now facing a very real contagious virus threat with limited medical preparedness.
The JSU stress that, if the Government had earlier taken the matter of healthcare improvement seriously we would now be having a certain level of security as to the ability of the Government to contain any possible epidemic or health crisis.
“We only pray that no further transmission occurs in the state even after the declaration of East Khasi Hills District as a “Red Zone” which at present noted date is having an identified 11 nos. of active cases and 1 decease person due to the COVID-19 Pandemic” the union stated.
“The Jaintia Hills is currently lacking in Medical facilities at the CHCs and PHCs which needs to be addressed by setting up of additional Health Care facilities under the DMF.” stated the union.
