Congress MLA from Mawlai (in Meghalaya) constituency, Process T Sawkmie, said on Thursday that it is easy to talk to President Ram Nath Kovind or Prime Minister Narendra Modi than talking to staff of the Meghalaya House in Guwahati. Sawkmie made his point in Assembly on Thursday to expose the attitude of the staff working at the Meghalaya House, Guwahati.
Sawkmie drew the attention of the government and Minister in-charge General Administration Department (GAD), Comingone Ymbon, to problems faced by elected representatives and the people who seek accommodation in Meghalaya House, Guwahati. The Mawlai MLA said that the staff were not ready to listen and did not bother to talk to people who sought information or wanted accommodation in the House.
“We need good people and the staffs who do not want to work, they better give chance to others as there are many who want to work,” Sawkmie said. According to Sawkmie, he had a similar experience when he was at the Meghalaya House, Kolkata, as the staff did not treat the guests or visitors properly.
He alleged there was partiality in the allotment of rooms and the government should ensure that rooms should be allotted on a first come first serve basis. “Meghalaya House is meant for catering to the needs of the people of the state and it does not belong only to the staff or officers or VIPs,” Sawkmie said.
Congress MLA from Mawsynram, Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang also echoed similar views saying the problems brought out by Mawlai MLA in connection with the Meghalaya House at Guwahati was a fact. He suggested that another house is needed at Guwahati and proposed the site at 6th Miles on the way to Narengi and the place is not far from various hospitals located in Guwahati and this would help the people of the state, especially those who go for treatment to Guwahati.
Shangpliang pointed some problems at the Meghalaya House, Kasba in Kolkata which include – water not fit for consumption, shortage of staff and the need to fill up vacant posts, lack of vehicles when VIPs have to hire cars or taxis. He said that the Governor of the state visits Kolkata frequently and the House there should have good vehicles and trained staff.