Garo Hills Nokmas allege discrimination

TURA, March 7 ? The Council of Nokmas, from East, West and South Garo Hills, have urged the Meghalaya Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Minister to look into the appointment of Block Selection Committee members as there has been ?discrimination? towards the selection of Nokmas. The Governor of Meghalaya had assured the inclusion of twelve members from among the heads of traditional institutions of Meghalaya, such as the Nokmas, Syiems, Dolois etc, as members of the Block Selection Committee. But the Nokmas allege that the authorities concerned failed to properly implement the same. The Nokmas state that the appointing authority had either intentionally or otherwise made irregular appointments which in the long run hamper the pace of development in the rural areas. The allegations include the appointment of other people in the place of the Nokmas. ?Only those Nokmas who are in the good book of the appointing authority have found a place in the Committee while the genuine Nokmas, who are vocal, honest and keen to develop their own areas have been left out,? stated the Council. The Council alleges that funds allotted for certain rural development projects are not being properly utilised for the purpose for which the money was sanctioned. While calling for action to stop such irregular appointments, the Council is urging re-appointments only for the Nokmas by rotation as members of the Block Selection Committee.