Shah anti-graft tune rings in M'laya

SHILLONG, Feb 16: Bharatiya Jata Party (BJP) president, Amit Shah on Friday, addressed two election rallies in the eastern part of the State. Shah first addressed a rally in Jowai, West Jaiñtia Hills district  and later addressed another rally at Malki ground in the city.

The BJP president, lashed out at the ruling Congress Government led by Dr Mukul Sangma in the state. According to Shah, the Congress-led Government in Meghalaya was “corrupt’’ and was involved in scams after scams.

Assuring people to make Meghalaya a “model State” if the BJP comes to power, Shah said that the NDA Government under the 14th Fince Commission increased funding to Rs 25,400 crore.

He pointed out that Meghalaya had got only Rs 5,817 crore in the 13th Fince Commission.

The BJP president also highlighted various Central schemes given to Meghalaya like Mudra (Rs 463 crore), Uday (Rs 600 crore), Swachh Bharat (Rs 4 crore), urban transportation (Rs 46 crore), AMRUT (Rs 80 crore), tourism (Rs 100 crore), sports complex (Rs 7.5 crore), and Jowai road (Rs 67 crore), and Sopur (Rs 43 crore). “Another Rs 640 crore is in the pipeline for developmental works,” he said.

Attacking the Congress Government, Shah said that the Congress Government with Mukul Sangma as its Chief Minister have ruled the State for almost ten years.

The BJP president said that within 10 years, there are many BJP-ruled States in the country which reached different heights in terms of development.

“In Meghalaya, what happened? The budget for education was Rs 900 crore, this Government couldn’t even spent 70 per cent of it.”

He also alleged that in villages of Meghalaya the health condition are absolutely basic  and there is shortage of doctors.

He also alleged that due to scams and mismagement, there has been issues across where mining has been halted, tourism did not take off, jobs are not created, small industries are not there and the number of people including young boys and girls, who committed suicide has gone up by an astounding 45 per cent. 

“There has been 30 per cent rise in crimes against women, and this is also breaking all records,” Shah said, pointing out that only 68 per cent of teachers are teaching science and mathematics in schools and shortage of 70 per cent doctors.