“Serve traditional food in Meghalaya Houses”

SHILLONG, MAR 22: The Opposition in the Assembly today demanded from the state government to ensure that traditional food is served in the Meghalaya Houses located in the metros besides giving priority to the youths.

Raising a supplementary during question hour, South Tura legislator John Leslee K Sangma said that the youths from the state should be given top priority as the Meghalaya Houses constructed are for the people of the state.

“I am a witness to the problems faced by them (youths). They find it difficult to get accommodation (in these Meghalaya Houses). Why they are not included in the policy,” Sangma asked.

In his reply, Minister in-charge General Administration Department (GAD) HDR Lyngdoh said that the students/youths are given necessary priority by providing accommodation in the dormitory as long as they want to stay.

Earlier, he informed that the Meghalaya Houses at Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai and Vellore are primarily meant for the use during official tours of the ministers, other dignitaries and officers of the government.

According to him, subject to availability of rooms, the facility is extended to the general public of the state.

On the other hand, the independent legislator also asked the government to come up with a policy making it mandatory for anyone running the canteen of the Meghalaya House to serve traditional food.

The minister responded that he will take steps to include on demand the local dish like “Khapa” – a Garo traditional cuisine and pork in the menu of the canteen.

He also assured to look into the matter related to the issue brought to his notice by the HSPDP chief Ardent Basaiawmoit on the rate of the food served in the canteen which he alleged was very expensive.

Participating in the discussion, Independent Gambagre legislator Saleng A Sangma suggested the need to provide chances for local youths trained in hospitality sector to run such canteens. The minister assured to examine the matter.

Earlier, Basaiawmoit also sought clarification whether the job reservation policy is applicable for recruitment in the five Meghalaya Houses in view that there were only 88 out of total 147 employees from the state being appointed.

On this, the minister said that the job reservation policy is being implemented. He however denied that the children of retired employees are being appointed in their place.