SHILLONG, SEPT 4: NPP National Vice President and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday sought public support for party candidate Dr DRL Nonglait in the Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll, stating that an MP from the ruling side would benefit the state.
Addressing a campaign at Mawryngkneng, Dhar said Dr Nonglait has campaigned in all 36 Assembly constituencies in the past four months and is receiving positive response.
“It has been four months now Dr Nonglait has been trying to campaign in all 36 constituencies, what is gratifying is that people are saying now NPP has got a good candidate,” he said.
Describing Dr Nonglait as the most qualified to represent Meghalaya in Parliament, Dhar said, “He holds 9-10 degrees and therefore he is most suitable to represent us in Parliament, a God-fearing man.”
The Deputy Chief Minister said the upcoming election is crucial for the state.
“This upcoming election is very important, if we get an MP from the government side it will be a gain for our State,” he said, adding, “I request all to give support to Dr Nonglait, to be our leader to Delhi.”
“If we get MP from one house, Chief Minister from another house, we are only busy fighting, there is no time to work,” Dhar said, taking a swipe at the Opposition MP.
Highlighting the MDA government’s work, Dhar said the state budget has increased from Rs 9,000 crore in 2018 to Rs 30,000 crore in eight years.
“In the Sports Sector, in 2018 the budget did not exceed Rs 80 crores, since NPP came the minimum is Rs 1000 crore per year. The biggest Football Stadium in India is at Mawkhanu which is Rs 732 crores,” he said.
He cited the Rs 27,000 crore four-lane Greenfield road from Ri-Bhoi to Rattacherra and said over 3,000 km of road upgradation and 1,700 km of new roads were built from the State Plan alone.
He also said thousands of kilometres of roads were sanctioned by the Government of India.
On health, Dhar said infant mortality has reduced drastically in eight years through the CM Motherhood Scheme and several CHCs and PHCs have been upgraded.
On youth welfare, he said the Cabinet has decided to abolish interviews for Grade C and D posts from 2027.
Dhar also recalled that the Assembly recently passed a resolution opposing uranium mining after 54 years and gave official status to Khasi language after 53 years.
“Go to 60 constituencies, the NPP Government never discriminates against anyone in terms of development,” he said.
