Upgrade Mawlai to civil sub-division: MLA Sawkmie

A Reporter

SHILLONG, June 15: Local MLA of Mawlai constituency and Congress legislator on Friday requested the state government to create a new civil sub-division for Mawlai, which is the biggest constituency in East Khasi Hills district. It may be mentioned that the demand came following the state government’s assurance to upgrade Ranikor administrative unit into a full-fledged civil sub-division recently.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Mawlai MLA Process T Sawkmie said, “I have submitted a memorandum requesting the state government to consider creation of a civil sub-division in my constituency.”Sawkmie said that only a civil sub-division can do justice by ensuring balanced and equitable development and bridge the gap between the two.

Justifying his demand, he said that according to the 2011 census, the population of Mawlai was 64,021 and at present, the population of the constituency is around 80,000 approximately; besides the total number of voters in the 2018 election stood at 43,000.

The MLA further pointed out that the constituency is also expanding as people from various parts of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills have come and settled and that many new villages are coming up. “Therefore, proper infrastructure, proper road connectivity, water supply and electricity is very much needed,” he said while adding that creation of the civil sub-division will also address the unemployment problem faced by the educated unemployed youth.

He recalled that when he had raised the issue on whether the government is planning to create more civil sub-divisions on the floor of the Assembly, the reply given was positive and it will be done at an appropriate time.

The Mawlai MLA said that the Chief Minister has assured him that a survey would immediately be conducted to study the feasibility of the proposal.

Earlier, his colleague Mawsynram legislator Himalaya M Shangpliang had also made a similar demand of the government to grant a civil sub-division for the constituency on ground that it was an aspiration of the people for the past 15 years. It may be mentioned here that senior Congress leader and five-time Ranikor MLA Martin M Danggo had also announced that he would resign from the party to join the ruling National People’s Party once the civil sub-division in Ranikor is inaugurated.