Politics of creation of districts

There were only two districts during creation of the State of Meghalaya, forty years ago. The United Khasi-Jaintia Hills districts and the Garo Hills districts, along the years more and more districts were created under the pretext of “bringing the administration closer to the people”.

However, these new district performed way below expectations, even though the newly created districts becomes a source of employment for white coloured jobs. Along with the creation of new districts there was little or no change in the policy of administration, wherein these district administrations could  co-ordinate with the traditional institutions like the Syiems, the Dolois, Nokmas. These institutions continued to remain isolated and alienated from the administration.

This year there was a spurt in creating of more and more districts, which were justified by the State Government by saying it was fulfilling the aspirations of the people. However, it does not take a binocular to see that intention behind the creation of these new districts.   With the general elections to the state legislative assembly just six months away, the sudden upgradation of the civil sub-divisions of Khliehriat, Mawkyrwat, Resubelpara and Ampati as district’s, is but a tactical move to get the voters to reelect the the ruling government.

The chief minister himself had made it a point to be the centre-stage in all the inauguration ceremonies of these districts and made rosy promises to the people of bringing about a sea change in the quality of life itself, in terms of employment and other opportunities, which the people have been denied so far, because of neglect and inefficiency of the administration itself.

But rich in experience, the people cannot be taken up the garden path with such promises even though they might have been given a new district. Let us not forget that Ri-Bhoi district was created and inaugurated by then Chief Minister D.D. Lapang, representing the Nongpoh Constituency but he was defeated in the assembly elections, soon after the Ri-Bhoi district was created.- By Sumar Sing Sawian