Our Bureau
New Delhi/Shillong: At the end of his week-long tour of Germany, Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma lands up at the Prime Minister’s doorstep with a begging bowl.
Dr Sangma has sought a massive Rs 3,000 crore one time ‘special package’ for the State from the Centre over and above the Plan Outlays in a bid to bring the Hill State at par with the rest of the country.
The amount sought will cover as many as seven projects that have been proposed to the Prime Minister by the Chief Minister through a memorandum submitted on Tuesday.
To bolster his arguments for the special outlay, Dr Sangma used the ‘peace’ alibi. He told Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that the State was positive about ending militancy following initiation of peace talks with both the ANVC and the GNLA.
“But peace and stability become vulnerable if development does not keep pace with aspirations,” the Chief Minister said in support of his demand for the special package which according to him would open a window of opportunities for those who give up arms and walk the path of peace. Peace according to Dr Sangma would flow from sound strategy and relentless efforts.
Speaking to The Shillong Times after his meeting with Dr Singh, Dr Sangma said, “The Prime Minister was appreciative of our demands and assured that they would be favourably considered”
“The package will ensure 100 per cent Central funding of the projects over and above the Plan Outlays for the State,” the Chief Minister said.
Health Minister AL Hek was also present in the meeting.
Creation of an international centre for performing arts and culture, permanent building for the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, a State medical college, Integrated Ganol Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Project, construction of the New Shillong Township,setting up of a State Technical University and Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme have been lined up to be covered by the Rs 3000-crore package.
The creation of the International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture, which will be at par with similar centres across the globe, aims at making Shillong the hub of performing arts, especially music in the North East.
“State of the art performance venues which will enhance the overall experience and create opportunities for greater exposure of local talent will benefit the region in a number of ways,” the memorandum stated.
The Performing Arts Centre is estimated to cost Rs 350 crore while the proposed construction of a permanent building of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has also been estimated at Rs 350 crore.
The special package for the State Medical College, which according to Dr Sangma will ensure the availability of the much needed skilled human resources in the health service delivery system, has been fixed at Rs 160 crore.
The proposed Government Medical College-cum-hospital will be set up in Tura.
The State Government has also submitted the proposal for the Integrated Ganol Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Project since the river offers vast potential for productive use. It will significantly improve the quality of life of people living along its basin which have hitherto remained untapped.
It is now proposed to construct an Integrated Multi Purpose Project on the Ganol basin, which would supplement drinking water supply to key towns, villages and habitations as well as irrigate an area of about 2,230 hectares of plain land. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 350 crore.
While the proposed New Shillong Township is being opposed by the NGOs fearing large scale influx, the State Government went on to submit the proposal for its development. Justifying the move Dr Sangma said, “As the attractiveness of the city has grown so has the pressure on land and civic amenities. To ensure that the city continues to retain its traditional charm and beauty, the Government has taken up the ambitious task of a new township contiguous to the existing city.”
He pointed out that making the township fully functional and developing it as a natural extension of Shillong requires that immediate further investments be made in land development and civic utilities such as roads, power, sewerage and water supply and in other public amenities.
“Once this township is fully functional, it will not only reduce the pressure on Shillong but also be a tourist destination in itself, beckoning visitors and tourists to a repeat visit,” the Chief Minister said in the memorandum.
It is estimated that funds required for the project would be Rs. 350 crore.
The Meghalaya Government has also proposed for the setting up of a State Technical University since the North East in general and Meghalaya in particular faces a severe shortage of skilled technical manpower which in turn results in poor project formulation, delays in project implementation and sub-optimal performance.
The Chief Minister said, “A State Technical University, proposed to be set up in partnership with industry, can provide a framework of activities ranging from research to short vocational courses.”
The cost of setting up this university is estimated at Rs 60 crore.
Dr Sangma also informed in the memorandum that the State has taken up a Flagship Programme (Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme) in a mission mode and as many as nine missions have been launched focusing on value chains in horticulture, aquaculture, apiculture, livestock and tourism. Once the project takes shape it will provide crucial infrastructure and create many dedicated professionals in different fields, he added.
Dr Sangma also pointed out that the IBDLP has relied extensively on convergence of resources for each of its Missions and in addition,funds from the State Plan have been used to supplement and fill in gaps where these may appear.
“The State’s own resources are inadequate to help us meet the expectations of all the people whose aspirations have risen because of the programme or who have made plans at our persuasion,” he said.