Siju-Chokpot road delay
Independent legislator Saleng M Sangma questioned the Government’s commitment in completing the Siju-Chokpot road which was conceptualized three decades ago. “I am told that militants are taking shelter along the forest areas through which the road is supposed to pass. The militants are able to take shelter in these areas due to the delay on the part of the Government to complete this very important road,” Sangma said during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Stating that there are possibilities that the militants might have set up their camps in the area, he said that the completion of Siju-Chokpot road would help the Government fight militancy in a more effective manner in the area.
In his reply, PWD Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar told the House that the Siju-Chokpot road would take some time to complete since there is a ‘huge missing gap’ in the road. Besides this, DPRs would have to be prepared after a fresh survey of the road is completed.
Earlier, Chokpot legislator Clifford R Marak also raised questions over the status of the important roads in Garo Hills like the Dimapara-Deku road and the bridge over Bugai River from Rimrangpara to Josipara road (point) Upper Mibonpara and Lower Mibonpara.
‘Alloy industrial units getting charcoal from outside’
Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the alloy industrial units operating in the State are getting their supply of charcoal from outside the State. “From the beginning, it was clearly specified that anyone who wanted to set up an alloy industrial unit in the State would not be allowed to use the charcoal produced locally,” Tynsong said while replying to a question raised by HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Tuesday.
He also informed that the total consumption of charcoal by the industrial units in the past three years is 61113.71 metric tonnes (2010), 18582.00 metric tonnes (2011) and 15627.12 (2012) metric tonnes.
Govt may bring local wine under excise ambit
With an aim to provide fillip to the local wine makers, the State Government is considering to bring locally produced wine under the ambit of the State Excise Policy besides assisting them in finding suitable sale outlets in the State.
Replying to a cut motion moved by NPP legislator James K Sangma in the Assembly on Tuesday, Excise Minister Zenith M Sangma said that the Government is seriously contemplating this initiative and will take necessary steps to give a boost to local wine makers so as to facilitate small scale cottage industries in the State.
“Certain organisation has also approached the Government towards this end,” Sangma said.
Earlier, the wine makers of Meghalaya under the banner of Meghalaya Association of Wine Makers (MAWM) urged the Government to consider legalization of fruit wine production in the State.
Garo employees sans quarters
Independent legislator John Leslee K Sangma questioned the Government over the delay in the allotment of quarters to the Government employees from Garo Hills who are working in Shillong.
“The Government employees who are yet to be allotted the quarters are facing several difficulties since it is extremely difficult to get an accommodation in Shillong,” the Independent legislator stated during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Tuesday.
In reply, General Administration Department (GAD) Minister HDR Lyngdoh said that the allotment of Government quarter under GAD is decided by the House Allotment Committee (HAC) as per Rules for Allotment of Government Residences (General Pool), 1990.
Lyngdoh informed that out of the total 372 government employees from Garo Hills who have applied for staff quarters in Shillong, around 261 have already been accommodated.
‘Clearing SET does not guarantee appointment’
Out of the 6,548 candidates who appeared for the State Eligibility Test (SET), 3160 cleared the test, informed the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Education, Prof R C Laloo. “Clearing the SET exam is not an assurance of appointment, but only an eligibility criterion to apply for the post of primary teacher when vacancies arise in Government LP Schools,” Prof Laloo said while replying to a query raised by Independent legislator John Leslee K Sangma during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Tuesday. He informed that the result of the S ET was last declared in January 2008.
Prof Laloo also informed that there are 703 schools in the State which are run by a single teacher.