Youth vote for change

GUWAHATI: From a cleaner environment to proper garbage disposal, it was all about change for which young and first-time voters exercised their franchise in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation election on Wednesday.With lack of civic amenities and proper infrastructure plaguing the denizens, immediate redressal of problems in their respective wards topped the list of demands of young voters. "I want a cleaner environment and I want not only my ward but also my city to be clean. Yes, there is much cynicism among the older voters after years of non-performance from the elected representatives but I still have hope that the problems will be addressed. I am happy that I could cast my vote. The GMC came up with this campaign for a cleaner city. But still we come across overflowing garbage bins," said Rimpi Das, a 21-year-old student.But for some it was proper utilization of the government's revenue and halt to corruption at the municipal level which were the priorities. "The collected taxes and revenues should be properly utilized and a whitepaper on their effective usage should be published. But half of the money ends up in the pockets of the politicians. Most candidates lack awareness on addressing the core issues and I have little faith in them. The ward in which I am residing is facing shortage of clean water supply, proper garbage disposal and water logging," said Samikhya.