SHILLONG, OCT 31: The Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) today pledged to ensure a “financially sound” government is formed in the state besides resolving the various issues and protect the interest of the indigenous people of the state if elected to power in 2018.
“We will ensure the new government would be financially sound (for overall development of the state) unlike the present state government which is poor and yet helping only few people to amass wealth,” HSPDP chief Ardent M Basaiawmoit told reporters after the general council meeting of the party held at Dinam Hall, Jaiaw here on Tuesday.
He also said that ‘political appointment’ will also be done away with except elected representatives to discourage accommodation of supporters of different political parties in the government.
Spelling out the list of agendas, Basaiawmoit further said that the party would also push the Centre for inclusion of Meghalaya under the special provision of Article 371 of the Indian Constitution.
According to him, this will also pave the way for resolving the ongoing NGT ban on coal mining in the state, which has affected the economy of the state and people’s livelihood.
Article 371 is a special provision which empowers the state to protect the custom, practice, land, administration of justice and others to ensure no acts of Parliament can interfere.
“We want that this should also be extended to the state as it was done in the case of other NE states which includes Nagaland (371 A), Mizoram (371 G),” he added.
Maintaining a tough stand against the proposed move to mine Uranium in the state, Basaiawmoit said that the HSPDP also aims at further strengthening the existing Meghalaya Transfer of Land
Reiterating its demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to check influx into the state, Basaiawmoit also made the party’s stand clear on introduction of railway line, which has witness stiff opposition from several quarters.
“We will not accept the proposed coming of passenger train as the state is yet to have effective mechanism in place to prevent the flow of influx into the state,” he stated.
The HSPDP supremo further stated that the party is also committed to resolve the age-old inter-state boundary dispute with Assam besides ensuring that Khasi language is given its due recognition in the Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Also striving towards fulfilling the dream of its late leader Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, he informed that the party if given the mandate would further intensify the demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state.
Basaiawmoit also asserted the need to bring transparency in job recruitment process by the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and District Selection Committee (DSC), which according to him, have lost the confidence of the people especially job aspirants.
Besides strengthening the markets and border haats, he said the HSPDP also seeks to promote tourism industry and cleanliness of the state.
Asked, Basaiawmoit however said that agendas are not final as more issues will be included before the party comes out with its clear cut election manifesto for the upcoming 2018 assembly poll.
It may be mentioned here, the HSPDP has forged an alliance with the United Democratic Party (UDP) from the 36 seats in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region. According to Basaiawmoit, both the parties will also come up with common agendas for the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the general council meeting also elected its new general secretary Dr Kara Shen, S Rynjah as joint secretary, R Lyngdoh as treasurer while the rest of the office bearers will continue with the same people for the next three years.
Basaiawmoit also announced that the party would also hold a public meeting in the second week of December which will be attended by supporters from the different parts of Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.
However, the date and venue for the meeting will be decided by the central executive committee later.
By Our Reporter
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