Govt earns over Rs 132 crore as royalty on coal
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma informed the Assembly that 11, 56, 743 metric tonnes of coal were transported from various depots of the State within the grace period allowed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
“The total quantum of extracted coal assessed is 87, 13, 103 metric tonnes and the total quantum of coal assessed lying in various depots is 75, 56, 360 metric tonnes,” Sangma replied during Question Hour on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister also informed that a total amount of Rs.132, 25, 43, 299 was collected by the Government as royalty on the transported coal.
He also informed that the share on royalty payable to the Autonomous District Councils will be released as per procedure.
CM blames NHAI for deplorable roads
The Chief Minister has slammed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for the worsening road condition in the State, saying that the roads were in better condition when they were under the State PWD, adding that the matter has been flagged before the Union government.
On the proposed Shillong Airport expansion plans, the Chief Minister said the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has asked the state government to acquire additional land to address the controversy over a village road that goes through the airport.
According to Sangma, the AAI had earlier claimed that they cannot take up the installation of Advance Landing Instruments in the airport unless the government completed the boundary work, after which necessary sanctions were made for construction of a boundary wall and a 20-feet road.
However, the AAI is now claiming that it cannot give 20 feet of land and they have once again requested the government to acquire additional land, he informed.
On the development of water routes, the Chief Minister said that a water route was identified from Baghmara to Siju and the state government has entrusted a Central undertaking to prepare the Detailed Project Report of the same.
Engineering colleges to function from 2017
The Chief Minister asserted that the state government has targeted to enroll the first batch of students in the proposed engineering colleges to be set up in the state in 2017. He also informed that tenders for the proposed engineering colleges would be floated soon.
The Chief Minister, further, informed that the foundation stone for the proposed centre for performing arts in the New Shillong Township will be laid after the budget session.
On the proposed Tura Pine Mount International School, the Chief Minister informed that the project was delayed due to the perennial problem of land acquisition arising out of a rift among the land owners.
CM assures protection of pets through law
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma assured the Assembly that the state government will come up with an appropriate legislation for protection of pets.
“I assure this House that I will instruct the relevant departments to formulate legislation for the protection of pets,” Sangma said while replying to a motion moved by John Leslee K Sangma on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister stressed on the need for a legislation to protect the pets and called on the people to prevent such brutal killings of pets.
Earlier, the South Tura legislator had moved a motion expressing concern on the slaughter of dogs by miscreants in Garo Hills. “Dog meat is being put on display in tourist spots in Garo Hills thereby giving a wrong impression to tourists on our culture and our way of life,” Sangma said.
Govt to promote State as football destination
The Chief Minster said efforts were on to promote Shillong as a ‘football destination’ by constructing a state-of-the-art stadium under the ‘Mission Football’.
“We want to build a stadium which can host I-league matches and other kinds of superior matches which can project the state as a destination for football,” the Chief Minister said.
He also informed that the government has also invested money to ensure that different clubs have access to practice grounds.
The Chief Minister also revealed his plans of constructing ambitious football stadiums at Tura and Ampati besides other investment from the State Plan to upgrade existing grounds.
“The two stadiums will be built at the cost of Rs.40 crore each,” he said.