State seeks Rs 50,000 crore

SHILLONG: The State government has sought Rs. 50,000 crore from the 14th Finance Commission to meet the state’s requirement in terms of infrastructural and other development related issues.

“We have sought for an overall award of Rs.50,000 crore which include the pre-devolution of Rs.35,000 crore for five years from 2015 to 2020 to meet non-plan expenditures and infrastructural gap in the state,” Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma told reporters after a meeting with the members of the Commission here on Tuesday.

A five-member delegation of the 14th Finance Commission headed by Dr Y V Reddy arrived here on Monday.

During the meeting, the State Government made presentations before the delegation and a special focus was laid on infrastructural requirement and the need to create employment opportunities for women and youths of the state.

According to the Chief Minister, government requires an amount of Rs.1,987 crore for normalisation of 11,000 government posts under the non-Plan expenditure.

Government also mentioned about the losses incurred by the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited.

Dr Sangma said special areas that require specific award from the Commission were also discussed with it to meet the state’s expenditure for creation of state disaster mitigation and management authority, and a state disaster management force.

“Implementation of the national food security scheme, liabilities of the state in pension scheme, establishment of courts besides the commitment made under the education sector and implementation of pay under University Grants Commission scale,” he said.

While maintaining that the state has a long international border with neighbouring countries, he said that these areas have not been effectively and productively utilized to promote trade and commerce.

Snippets

Rs 709 crore for police upgradation

At a time when Meghalaya is grappling with insurgency and unrest, the State Government has sought Rs 709 crore from the 14th Finance Commission for strengthening the police by way of better infrastructure, procurement of armoured vehicles, raising of Meghalaya Special Police Task Force and Meghalaya Commando Training Institute among others. A home department official said that out of the total Rs 709 crore sought, Rs 301 crore will be earmarked for creation of infrastructure for police.

Solar support

In a novel initiative, the Government will light up with solar lights police stations , beat houses, and border outposts if the 14th finance commission provides funds for the same. The Government on Tuesday sought Rs 7.70 crore from the commission to provide solar support for all police stations. An official said that the police beat houses and border outposts in far flung areas are very often in darkness due to the disruption of power supply and solar support to the buildings will help them to work effectively in the context of fight against militants and criminals.

District Councils

Rs 500 crore has been projected for various development schemes under autonomous district councils. Out of this, Rs 230 crore will be for up gradation of the infrastructure facilities of the councils including computerization.