SHILLONG, FEB 19: Opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) today assured to provide free education to children hailing from BPL families in the state up to the graduate level besides increasing the age bar for entry to government jobs to 32 years if it is elected to power.
The 12-page manifesto released by the UDP supremo Donkupar Roy here on Monday also promised to ensure corruption free and secured Meghalaya, good governance, affordable education and healthcare, security for women and children and employment for the youth.
The UDP, which has forged an alliance with the two regional parties – Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the Garo National Council (GNC) – is fielding 35 candidates for the February 27 Assembly polls.
“We are committed to provide free education to all students especially those coming from BPL families,” Roy told journalists.
He said that the party also seeks to ensure that a corpus fund is kept to ensure timely release of salaries to the teachers who are teaching in government-aided schools
The party also said that it would adopt an education policy to maximize the human capital of the state, arrest the trend of school dropouts and giving a fillip to teaching as an attractive profession besides setting up of special schools for children with special needs.
Stating that employment in the state depends largely on the economic growth in the state, the UDP said that it also propose to bring confidence among the job seekers in the government sector by strengthening the MPSC and DSCs.
It also assured to do away with the present system of personal interview for grade IV and grade III employees.
“We will also take steps to increase the age bar for entry to government jobs from the present age of 27 years to 32 years with 5 years more relaxation for SCs/STs of the state,” the party states.
On combating corruption, the manifesto assured that institution of Lokayukta and Ombudsman shall be welcomed by the government to be formed by the UDP and its allies.
Also promising to settle the long pending border dispute with Assam, the party said it proposes to set up a separate civil sub-division for areas between Byrnihat, Khanapara and Pilangkata area and ensure all land in inter-state border areas are registered with the government.
The party also said it would weigh the issue of mining from the perspectives of people’s economy and the vital duty of protection of environment even as it promised setting up of a single window agency to clear mining permissions for mining of limestone in the state.
Asked with regards to the ban on coal mining in the state, UDP senior working president Bindo Lanong said that if the party is voted to power, it will ensure the state has clear cut mining policy which will not come into conflict with the MMDR Act or environment.
Taking a jibe at the BJP’s manifesto, which promised to resolve the ban on coal mining within 180 days, he said, “This is just mere lip service to woo voters.”
Lanong, who is also a former deputy chief minister in-charge of mining, recalled that the mining policy prepared and approved by the cabinet during his tenure was a very comprehensive one.
Though its alliance partner the HSPDP had demanded implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) to deal with influx issue, the UDP however said that the issue needs a multi-pronged approach to ensure that the demographic balance of the state is maintained and fostered.
The anti-infiltration Directorate will be suitably toned to ensure its maximum efficacy and cases of harbouring illegal immigratns will be tried by fast track courts to be set up to deal with the menace, it stated.
It may be mentioned that the HSPDP and the GNC are also demanding for separate Khasi-Jaintia state and Garoland in their respective manifestos.
Asked whether the party will support the demand, the UDP chief said that when the GNC in a meeting to discuss the seat adjustment throw this question to the party, his reply was “Yes why not” adding that the party however is yet to discuss the matter with the HSPDP.
Meanwhile, the manifesto also spelt out the intention of the party to strengthen the collection of the state’s own revenues in view that the slow implementation of many projects is due to non-availability of adequate finance.
By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours