Shillong: Voice of the People Party president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit slammed the Meghalaya government on Sunday for pushing development projects that enrich outside firms. He told a crowd at Nongthymmai, Umroi, that local residents see few benefits from this agenda. The VPP leader demanded the state prove how many jobs these initiatives actually create for local youth.
Basaiawmoit cast doubt on the future of the proposed Shillong Ropeway at Madan Laban. He fears it will offer little for the community. The government remains silent on specific employment data. Instead, they hand out appointment slips after the fact. "Why does the government not spell out how many jobs will be created and how many will go to our people? Instead, when everything is over, they simply hand out appointment slips," he said.
The party claims they support progress, yet they insist the indigenous population and landowners must come first. Basaiawmoit criticized the heavy focus on road construction. He claims these projects primarily serve the pockets of outside contractors. Ordinary citizens get nothing but empty praise for these public works.
He also took aim at the management of the Jal Jeevan Mission. Contractors completed their tasks but still wait for the state to clear their bills. The government failed to update the Centre on the status of this scheme. Basaiawmoit says the state cannot take credit for progress while leaving hardworking contractors in financial limbo.
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