Shillong, Sept 29: Outgoing chief secretary DP Wahlang wanted more consultations before implementing the railway project.
‘The project needs extensive consultation with all stakeholders to ensure that any decision benefits everyone.”,
According to him, a concrete step can only be taken when all parties are convinced that it is a win-win situation.
“Railways is an issue which we need to have a lot of consultation with all the stakeholders, and once everybody knows that whether it is a situation in which all of us will gain and everyone is convinced that it is a win-win situation, then only we can take a concrete step in as far as that regard,” Wahlang told reporters.
Regarding traffic congestion, the chief secretary said there is no quick fix solution to the traffic problems, especially in Shillong.
The government is coming up with short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to resolve the issue.
Wahlang said the government is building a large number of parking lots to reduce congestion on the roads, besides partnering with Dorbar Shnong to implement parking solutions in certain areas.
Wahlang said a decision has been taken to scrap old vehicles, which will help reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
The new road projects, including the Western Bypass, High-Speed Corridor, and Tura Bypass, have been sanctioned to ease traffic congestion.
“It is a problem that will take a little time to improve. There is no quick solution to this. We have to be patient. Look at the number of vehicles that are being registered in a day, it has gone up to hundreds now from 3-4 about 20 years back. Therefore, we have to be well-equipped, and I am sure that with the plans that we have, I am sure we will be able to see a good story one day.”
Wahlang regretted not addressing the issue of the Wahumkhrah river. He said the efforts are being made to improve the quality of water and beautify the area.
There has been some improvement in the quality of water, as tested by the Pollution Control Board, he said.
To a question on drugs, Wahlang stressed the need for a multi-pronged approach that involves the local community and stakeholders.
He said that the police have an anti-drug squad that is working to tackle the issue.
“We are also looking at the DREAM project, which was set up two and a half years ago”, he said.
The government has added more rehabilitation centers.
According to Wahlang, there is a need to work with the community, church-based organisations, and other stakeholders to counsel victims, as well. Just trying to get hold of the drug peddlers is not the solution,” he said.
Looking back
“I have completed three years and two months as the chief secretary of the state. As I look back today, I feel that there is a deep sense of satisfaction over last three years as whatever goals and objectives that I have right at the beginning of my tenure, I was able to fulfil most of them with a complete satisfaction,” Wahlang said.
He attributed his success to the support of his team, family, and the political leadership in the state.
Wahlang said the law and order situation in the state was relatively stable during his tenure, with a few exceptions, including border skirmishes with Assam and issues related to Bangladesh.
“I have been more than lucky in the sense that from the law and order point of view it has been more or less stable. Two-three hiccups were there. First one was the firing in the border areas with Assam for which we had to cancel the Cherry Blossom festival and skirmishes that happened once in a while across the border with Assam and then the Bangladesh issue was one which we had to take some very quick steps. But apart from that, when it comes to militancy and insurgency, it was more or less very peaceful and even in Shillong, Jowai and Tura also the situation has been more or less very stable. So, I think I have a relatively comfortable time.
He highlighted the importance of streamlining the administrative system in the secretariat and directorates, with a focus on capacity building and upgrading service rules.
Wahlang said besides streamlining the administrative system, upgrading service rules in almost all the departments was achieved.
“Streamlining the administrative system in the secretariat and also the directorate is one in which we laid a lot of emphasis on capacity building and also, we upgraded the service rules in almost all the departments. All departments which do not have service rules, we made it mandatory for them and if they don’t have service rules, the departmental promotion committee will not sit.”
Wahlang’s message to his colleagues is to work with dedication and compassion, recognizing the impact of government decisions on the lives of citizens.
“My appeal to my colleagues is that you just have to put in more effort not with your head only but with your heart. It is important that you work not only with your intellectual capacity that you have but also with compassion as whatever decision we take as government servants or public servants, it touches the lives of the poorest of the poor and the people who live at the last mile, who many of us don’t even interact or meet but decisions we take on the file impacts lives on a daily basis,” he added.
Regarding his new assignment as Chairman of the Food Commission, he expressed his commitment to ensuring effective implementation of various food-related programs in the state.
“It is a very responsible position because I will be taking care and also watching the distribution of PDS of rice and foodgrains and also taking care and keeping a watch on the midday meal programme as well as RTE and food that is given in the Anganwadi centres,” he said.
