From CK Nayak
Mukul gets positive response from PM on spl package
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday assured to look into the demand for a multi-crore special package for Meghalaya, besides agreeing to consider the demand for declaring the proposed Agia-Badarpur rail line along the Indo-Bangladesh border via Meghalaya as a national project.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma who met the Prime Minister here on Wednesday also sought for expeditious upgradation of the road from Srirampur in West Bengal to Nongstoin in Meghalaya NH 127(B) through Dhubri in Assam.
“This highway has a potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of the whole region,” the Chief Minister said, adding, “This extremely important project should be immediately implemented.”
Meghalaya had sought a massive special package for its various pipelined mega projects starting from the New Shillong Township to establishment of global level institutes for music and sports.
Dr Sangma had already met UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister earlier on this issue. During the meetings, the Chief Minister had reiterated that such mega projects cannot be funded under the regular annual plans. “Given the order of investment required, these projects cannot be funded under our regular annual plan allocations,” he had insisted.
On Wednesday, Dr Sangma again requested the Prime Minister to consider a special package for Meghalaya covering several projects, over and above the usual plan allocation. “Meghalaya does not have much internal resources for the upcoming mega projects and needs the Centre’s help,” he pointed out.
The Chief Minister also sought funds for the construction of a new assembly structure in Shillong. “Meghalaya had lost its Assembly building, a heritage site, to a fire over a decade ago and since then we have been making serious endeavour to construct a new building for which land has been identified,” he said.
“The new assembly complex will have provisions for accommodations for the elected representatives and staff,” he said. Given the paucity of land and resultant congestions, the State has taken up a ‘New Shillong Township’ project, he informed the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister also sought help from the Centre for integrated housing project for its employees in each district of the State. “These large projects will help thousands of Government employees and their families located in different districts of the State,” he said.
In a separate meeting with Union Housing Minister Dr Girija Vyas, the Chief Minister, while informing her that the State Government had started its own housing scheme, had called for a synergy in both the schemes.
Dr Sangma also requested the Prime Minister to consider setting up of two institutes of international standard – one for music and other for sports – in Shillong. “Young talents from different parts of the State have shown their excellence in music and sports like football which should be encouraged,” he said.
“Shillong is not only a well known hill station but also a traditional centre of excellence in education, art, music and sports,” Dr Sangma, said.
The Chief Minister also advocated for water management projects in Tura and Ganol basins. He sought liberal financial assistance from the Centre for a large number of development projects covering water supply, roads and power infrastructure across different parts of the State.