By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: To check the mindless extraction of coal and rapid depredation environment, Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri has suggested setting up of a thermal plant in the coal-rich Jaiñtia Hills.
“The State Government should seriously give a thought of setting up a thermal plant in Jaiñtia Hills since it would help the State generate additional power,” Chaudhuri said while participating in the discussion on the Governor’s address here on Monday.
At present, the coal which is unscientifically mined in Jaiñtia Hills is being exported outside the State and Bangladesh, he said
“Thousands of coal-laden trucks not only wreak havoc to the roads but also create traffic congestion which put the common people in great difficulty,” he said.
“But by setting up the thermal plant, we can tap the coal for generation of power,” he said while adding that coal exporters instead of exporting their coal they can sell it to the Government to utilize it in the thermal plant.
“If this happens, it would be a win-win situation for both the Government and the coal exporters,” Chaudhuri said.
While pointing out that the Government has spent over Rs 1000 crore for the Leshka Hydel Project which is producing only 42 MW with its first unite, he believes that the setting up of thermal plant would be a more viable project than Leshka.
While criticizing the State Government for not being able to put in place the State Mining Policy even after so many years, he said that the mining policy is very critical to regulate the unscientific mining in the State which has brought about the degradation in the environment. Being impressed with the ecology and environment friendly crematorium which has been developed by one Campbell Shullai at Jinthangbriew, Jaiaw, he suggested that the Government should consider of patenting this environment-friendly crematorium.
“The State can earn a name if they can gift this concept to other parts of the country,” independent legislator said adding that this would also to give a little bit of dividend to the inventor. To address the problem of manpower in the Education department, Chaudhuri suggested the constitution of the Meghalaya Education Service. With the RTE is scheduled to be implemented in 2013, he said that constituting of MES is more relevant since there would be requirement of qualified people to run the department to implement the RTE in its true spirit.The independent legislator however criticized the State Government for not doing anything to create employment opportunities in the State. “With the lack employment opportunities, many of the talented youth are leaving in the State in search of better avenues. We have to check this trend, otherwise we would be left only with mediocre young people,” Chaudhuri said. The independent legislator however lauded the State Government for initiating its own flagship programme- Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme.
“This is the first time after so many years that the State is having its own flagship programme. Otherwise, we have been half heartedly implementing the various flagship programmes of the Centre,” he said. Chaudhuri however cautioned that the State Government to ensure that this flagship programme does not falter at the stage of implementation.
Security at Main Secretariat: Meanwhile, expressing concern over of security arrangement in the Main Secretariat, Manas Chaudhuri (Ind) said “the State Secretariat particularly the Yojana Bhavan building, which houses Chief Minister’s office, does have proper security arrangement.” “I do not think anywhere in the country this type of security arrangement is being made inside the State Secretariat,” Chaudhuri said during the Question Hour on Monday. In reply, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh assured the member that he would look into the matter. Lyngdoh said various security equipments like metal detector, search mirror and other security paraphernalia had already been installed in the Secretariat.