Rangad releases her manifesto

SHILLONG, FEB 11: “I challenge Sanbor Shullai for a Public Debate. Where are the accounts of the last 15 years?” – Angela Rangad said on Saturday while unveiling People’s Action Plan for South Shillong and solutions for Meghalaya focusing on accountability, inclusive development, safety and security, and people’s rights

The manifesto laid out in an innovative newspaper design focuses on a clear action plan for South Shillong and legislative solutions for Meghalaya. In addition to this, the manifesto also has 5 ethical commitments and clear action items for the first 100 days as MLA both in the constituency and in the assembly.

As a part of her manifesto, Rangad, has laid out 5 ethical commitments where she has said that the MLA office will be a public authority and it will also proactively  disclose all the information around usage of MLA funds and other initiatives on a “Transparency Portal” and a mobile app for South Shillong. All the records will be available for people at the MLA office as well, which people can access anytime.

Rangad has also committed  to be on minimum wage of a daily wage earner till her goal of setting up welfare boards for domestic workers and gig & platform workers (rapido riders, swiggy, zomato, amazon and other delivery persons) is realised. Rest of her salary shall go towards one of her 100 days promise of setting up a People’s Rights & Facilitation Center, which would make access to rights and entitlements convenient, corruption-free, and time bound for all the residents of South Shillong.

Rangad has also committed to only use government health facilities for her and her family for all health issues and to never use Red Beacon, if elected MLA.

People’s Action Plan for South Shillong has laid out 50 key projects that Angela Rangad shall take up if elected MLA, which range from improving quality and accessibility of civic infrastructure to safety and security for all to the rights of women and elderly to education, health, and employment. Some of these projects include a participatory survey and budgetary exercise to determine where 2.5 Crores received as MLA grant should be spent.

Rangad also highlighted her plan to set up a community resource bank for essential school supplies as education expenses are shooting up for parents. She also said that the MLA office shall play the role of bridging the gap between various communities and cultures of South Shillong while creating systems for legal aid and support in cases of targeted violence, hate crimes, and domestic violence.

Underscoring the need of functional and good quality creches, clean & hygienic public toilets in markets, and 100% coverage of key social security schemes like ration, pension, scholarships, and health insurance, Rangad has talked about how the manifesto is built by people’s inputs  through door to door visits, pocket meetings, and street corner meetings in South Shillong in the past 7 to 8 months.

Rangad has also talked about launching a program in South Shillong that would provide door to door support to elderly persons, single parents, and working families with respect to their needs & to support them in claiming their rights & entitlements.

On civic amenities, she highlighted the need for quality roads, lanes, drains and street lights that can be ensured if works are carried out in a corrupt free and accountable manner. On water she underscored that at least 500 litres for a family of 4 is a right. And cleanliness and garbage needs to be addressed by also looking at garbage collection and recycling as a potential entrepreneurship avenue.

Angela also highlighted some of the key state level reforms and legislations she would like to bring including a Meghalaya Right to Grievance Redress, Accountability, and Transparency Act, Meghalaya Fairness in Government Contract Bill, Meghalaya Social Security Act, and Equal Pay for Equal Work amongst others.

She emphasized on expanding NREGA to 150 days as well as creating an Urban NREGA starting with peri-urban areas in Meghalaya to ensure guaranteed employment to families who need it.

Tackling the mining question, Rangad clearly stated in the manifesto that mining should serve greater common good instead of criminal capture of the State, corporate greed, absolute devastation of ecology and environment, and violation of human rights. She also pressed on the need for fast track courts to prosecute all those running illegal check gates & extortion rackets. Angela also articulated clearly on some key aspects to reform the quality of education and preparing children for the 21st century in her solutions for Meghalaya. Lastly, the manifesto also consists of legislative and governance solutions for the issues of water, health, personal freedoms & civil liberties, public transportation, health & nutrition, and tourism.