Shillong, aug 7: Reiterating the government’s commitment to engage with the people and address their concerns before deciding to go ahead with the implementation of the railways projects in the three regions of the state, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has urged political parties to keep an open mind and take part in the upcoming all-party meeting to discuss the issue.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Sangma said, “I have been very clear that from an economic progress point of few railways are important for us whether it is Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills or Garo Hills. I am very clear on my thought that it is important, we need it but at the same time I have been very clear that this is a sensitive matter and obviously there are multiple concerns that people have.”
“Yes, our ministers have come forward and they have said that it should happen. But I am very clear on my procedure that we will take the community and the people along with us in our decisions that we make even if it is Garo Hills or Khasi Hills. We will engage with the people, we will talk to them and we will try to convince them if there are certain hurdles and concerns, we will try to overcome them and try to take the society as a whole forward in whatever decision that we take so that overall larger development comes in to the state of Meghalaya,” he added.
Whether survey works for the proposed railway extension have started in South Garo Hills, the chief minister replied, “No, they have not”.
He however informed the union minister concerned has asked him if there is possibility to implement the railway project in other parts of the state other than in Khasi Hills.
“I told him that I have discussed with the Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills representatives and they have shown some positive response based on their statements but I again mentioned to them that we still would want to take the public at large, civil society organizations on board,” Sangma added.
Asked on the status of the committee on railways, the chief minister said, “I once again appeal that different political parties should engage with us. That is how democracy works, this is a democratic process and the government is providing that platform. Therefore, we should come and take the discussion forward.”
“We had invited the people to come but we got a negative response from few of the political parties and so now we are wondering whether the same people who had said there should be a committee and now are saying we don’t want to be part of the committee so I really don’t know what the intention was when they mentioned this in the house.
But whatever the case may be since certain political parties have disagreed to come, we will go ahead with whatever political parties are there,” he said.
“Coming to the committee meeting is not a support for the cause and say look we want railways. The committee is a platform to discuss. If you don’t want to discuss also how do we move forward.
So I think there has to be some change in the mindset, some positivity. We are allowing that platform and discussion to happen. They don’t want to take that platform also so what can I say. I urge different stakeholders let us discuss because I am sure there can be ways which we can find to address the concerns that people have and yet have the development that we deserve.
So what can we do to find a midway to be able to address the concerns and get development – that is the purpose of this committee,” he stated further.
