SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Prof. RC Laloo on Tuesday said the State Government is in the process of allotting hydro and thermal power projects to NEEPCO and other interested partners.
“The allotment of the new power projects would help the State to meet its base load demand,” Prof. Laloo said while speaking at an official function to mark the 42nd Meghalaya Day here on Tuesday.
He said that the State has initiated short terms measures for augmenting its transmission system to draw power from the North Eastern Power Grid.
Reiterating that Meghalaya has the largest hydro-electricity potential in the Northeastern region, second only to Arunachal Pradesh, Prof. Laloo said, “Meghalaya has potential of about 3,000 MW of hydro power. Although the State was having sufficient power, rapid industrialization and an improved standard of living have led to significant rise in electricity consumption. To meet the shortfall, some hydro projects have been identified for completion in the 11th Plan.”
A total of 193.5 MW of power is expected to be added to the State’s kitty, he added.
Prof. Laloo also stated that the Government is laying special emphasis on the development of agriculture and its allied sectors.
“Modern innovations in the field of agriculture have put Meghalaya in the agricultural map of the country. Initiatives taken by the department in propagating low volume high value crops have brought about positive changes in the lives of farmers in the State,” the Deputy Chief Minister noted.
“Recognising the potential, the Government is working with different agencies to chalk out a comprehensive roadmap for strategic intervention for location-specific agriculture growth in the sector for the next five years,” he said.
While understanding that Horticulture development cannot take place in isolation, he said that the Government is working towards holistic development of infrastructural facilities, marketing linkages, post harvest management and value addition.
“As a step in this direction, farmers’ markets and horti hubs have been established and cold chains and transportation infrastructures are constantly being improved. New crops like strawberries and capsicum are being sold outside the State while the export markets for various flowers are growing,” Prof. Laloo said.
He said that Shillong has always been an important centre for education in the North East.
“Institutes of higher learning continue to be established to provide specialized education in more fields. Private universities are being encouraged to set up their campuses in the State. Improvement in the primary and basic education sectors is also taking place,” Prof. Laloo said.
While maintaining that clean drinking water is an essential ingredient towards good health, the Deputy Chief Minister said that water supply in rural as well as urban areas are continuously being augmented even as the demand for water continues to grow.In its attempt to provide quality health care services to the people of the State, he said that the Government has extended its services by increasing the number of hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and sub centres.
“The Government is receptive to the concept of public-private partnership in the fields of management, research, training and emergency response services,” he said.
Meanwhile, Information and Public Relation Minister AL Hek observed that non-violence was the hallmark of the struggle of Statehood which was attained in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation.
“It is this spirit that we should imbibe in our pursuit for furthering the vision of our forebears,” Hek said.
He remarked that productive and well oiled government machinery is greatly dependent on the efficient and sincere functioning of its employees.
“Keeping this in mind, the Meghalaya Day Excellence Award has been instituted to encourage and celebrate such individuals. In recognition of their selfless service, the Government this year will be felicitating 15 employees from various departments,” Hek said.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary, PBO Warjri, said that on the occasion of the 42nd Statehood Day, the main challenge before the government is to sort out the ‘unrest’.
In an obvious reference to the militancy-hit Garo Hills, Warjri said, “We look forward for peace because it is an essential ingredient for development.”
The Additional Chief Secretary said that the government with its expertise and experience would be able to solve the problem of militancy to achieve development.
Warjri also said that the State will keep on facing new challenges and that it should be on the lookout for solution to these problems.