Meghalaya: VEC job cardholders in West Garo Hills complain against functionaries, seek fresh election

TURA:

Village Employment Council (VEC) job cardholders of Moulakandi – II village under the Demdema Community & Rural Development (C&RD) Block, West Garo Hills District in Meghalaya on February 24 submitted a complaint to the Block Development Officer (BDO) seeking a new election to the VEC.

The demand for new election comes after the current three-year term of both the president and secretary of the VEC has expired, despite which the functionaries have continued in the office.

Further, the VEC members alleged that the president and secretary were whimsical at work, doing work that would not benefit the villagers.

“Various complaints have been filed against these VEC functionaries, despite which they have no fear. They are whimsically wasting public funds by constructing a cement concrete road at the road level between the Public Works Department (PWD) road and Banat Madrassa. This work will be a waste as the area is flood-prone,” said one complainant, Ziyadur Sheikh.

The villagers had asked the VEC functionaries to increase the height of the road so that people could use it during floods.

“Instead of making the road high they have continued making the road using concrete and cement, which will crack within a few months,” added Zamal Sheikh.

The job cardholders have asked the BDO to take the complaint seriously and work on ensuring fresh elections to the VEC while also threatening to hold a sit-in demonstration if their demand is not adhered to.

(Edited by Laxmi Chyrmang)