A CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated the new district of 'Eastern West Khasi Hills', which was bifurcated from its parent district of West Khasi Hills, on Tuesday. Also present on the occasion were the Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Metbah Lyngdoh, other cabinet ministers and MLAs
The new district comprises Mairang and Mawthadraishan C&RD blocks. Mairang is one of the oldest civil sub-divisions, which was inaugurated on November 10, 1976. It was upgraded to a new district exactly after 45 years.
The new district will be headquartered at Mairang.
Inaugurating the new district of 'Eastern West Khasi Hills' amidst a festive mood in Mairang, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that the new district will bring the administration closer to the people. He also said that the new district was a long-felt aspiration and desire of the people and government had to consider it after screening different parameters. He also told the gathering about his visit to Mairang as an Opposition leader, where people had spelt out on the need for creation of a new district.
"The new district was created not because it is in Khasi Hills or Jaintia Hills or Garo Hills but purely on basis of certain parameters, which had put the region in the bottom list of all developmental activities. We wanted to bring administration closer to the people; hence, the 12th district of the State was created," he said.
He also took the opportunity to inform the people of the State that the MDA government has always accorded the top priority to the peoples' issues. "Whatever concerns the masses have raised, including those which were raised earlier, our MDA government has been very prompt to find an amicable solution to address the concerns," he added.
"We have been a public-oriented and a people-centric government, a government that is for the people of our State," he stressed.
He also told the gathering that whenever as Chief Minister, he inaugurates a development project there is always discontentment in certain parts of the State as he is labelled of being 'selective' and 'preferential' in carrying out development activities.
"Whenever I inaugurate a development project in Khasi Hills, inevitably there is a message from Garo Hills, saying what about Garo Hills… whenever I inaugurate a project in Garo Hills, there is a message what about Jaintia Hills …friends, let me tell you… that this MDA government does not discriminate based on tribe, caste, creed or religion… we don't differentiate between Khasi, Garo or Jaintia Hills .. wherever development is required, we take decision to spread developmental activities," he asserted. Clarifying on the naming of the new district, the Chief Minister said that several consultations were made and different people were asked for their opinions.
"We are a matrilineal society, so we felt that some linkage with the parent district should be incorporated. Hence the cabinet felt that since the region falls in the Eastern part of West Khasi Hills, we should name it as Eastern West Khasi Hills."
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