Ahead of LS polls, PM claims Assam-Meghalaya border dispute resolved
Mendipathar railway opened in 2014 mentioned as achievement made in 10 years
Shillong, April 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an interview to a leading daily in Assam claimed that Assam-Meghalaya border dispute was resolved but the reality is different.
The two-part interview published on April 7 and 8 had centered around the Northeast.
“We have resolved the 50-year-old dispute between Assam and Meghalaya”, the prime minister said.
However, according to the status of the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute, survey work is still on regarding the first six areas of difference despite the fact that an agreement was signed in the past ensuring early settlement.
To resolve the next six areas of difference, regional committees were formed but they are yet to submit their reports.
Earlier on April 11, during an election campaign at Athiabari, West Khasi Hills border, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the residents at the Assam side of the border are seeking inclusion in Meghalaya and the government may bring them in but he repeatedly blamed the previous government for leaving out the villages as per the 2012 list.
Mendipathar railway
The prime minister also took credit for Mendipathar railway which he inaugurated online five months after assuming office in November 2014 whereas the project was initiated by the previous government.
“In the last 10 years, many firsts have happened in the North East:Many parts of the North East are getting connected by rail service for the first time.Meghalaya came on India’s rail net work after 67 years of Independence”, he said.
District Councils
The prime minister also made reference to strengthening of autonomous district councils but decentralisation of power is yet to become a reality. Moreover, amendment to strengthen the councils and to prevent anti-defection by the members of the district councils is still pending.
“We have strengthened Autonomous Councils to accelerate the development process for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities through democratic decentralisation of power through Constitutional amendment”, the PM said.
