NPP puts people first, not power; over Rs 15,000 Cr projects underway in New Shillong: Dhar

SHILLONG, JUN 30: Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Transport and Urban Affairs, Sniawbhalang Dhar, on Wednesday said the NPP-led government is a “people’s government” and does not have time to heed allegations because it is focused on development, pointing to over Rs 15,000 crore worth of projects currently under implementation in New Shillong Township.

He was speaking at a felicitation programme organised by the Joint Action Committee to acknowledge the government’s One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for commercial vehicles.

“As your leaders, we don’t mind even if people attack us on social media or in other forms. We are here to serve you. The NPP-led government is the people’s government,” Dhar said.

“There are so many who say bad things against us as a government, but we have no time to listen to all these negative things. We are busy working for the people of the state. Let them say whatever they want to say, but we are here to work for the people and not to listen to those talking nonsense,” he added.

Dhar said the government’s focus remains on delivery across sectors.

“Please see the work done by the NPP government over the last eight years. What have we not done? If we are talking about the road sector, health sector, power sector, education sector, in almost all departments, development is equally distributed,” he said.

Highlighting progress in New Shillong Township, he said, “We are developing the Administrative City and Knowledge City in the New Shillong Township. For many years, we kept talking about New Shillong Township but nothing happened. I don’t mean to say the previous government was not working, but under the NPP-led government, just go to New Shillong and you will see the transformation taking place right now.”

“More than Rs 15,000 crore worth of projects are under progress as I speak. State highways have been created during these last eight years,” Dhar said.

On the OTS scheme, he said the government had acted to support people in crisis.

“When you face a crisis such as this one, it is the duty of the government to help its people. Therefore, we are implementing this scheme and we hope it will bring a positive outcome. Grab this opportunity,” he said.

Dhar said the government is also examining concerns raised by transporters.

“There is also a demand regarding vehicles without proper documents. We are examining this matter. They have requested consideration for vehicles with no documents, and I told them that we will examine the matter,” he said.

He urged cooperation with officials and stressed the importance of truckers. “I understand this issue and I urge you to cooperate with our officers. Whatever we can do, we will do it, and we need your cooperation so that your work can function smoothly,” Dhar said.

“Truck drivers are very important in the state. Without you, our state cannot grow. Without the trucker associations, we cannot meet the requirements of the state and the people,” he said.

Defending Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong against online criticism, Dhar said, “Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong is always ready to extend a helping hand. He never says no. But despite this, he is being attacked on social media.”

Reiterating the government’s priorities, he said, “NPP leaders put people first, not power. That is the NPP-led government under the leadership of Conrad K Sangma. You have seen how the state has moved in the last eight years. We are moving in the right direction.” “Let people say whatever they want, but we will never compromise at the cost of our people,” he added.

During the programme, the organisers felicitated Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma along with Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar in recognition of their role in implementing the OTS scheme.

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