IIM Shillong preparing Sports Policy: Zenith
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith M Sangma on Wednesday informed that the department had tasked the IIM Shillong to prepare the Meghalaya Sports Policy.
“We requested IIM Shillong to prepare the policy after the State Resource Groups failed to complete its task within the scheduled deadline. I am happy that they have agreed to help the Government. They (IIM) are expected to complete the job within a period of eight months as assured by the director of the institution,” Sangma said while replying to question raised by Independent legislator Saleng A Sangma in the Assembly on Wednesday.
According to Sangma, the SRG was constituted on May 20, 2014, under the chairmanship of Meghalaya State Olympic Association president R.G. Lyngdoh to come up with a draft of the policy.
“They (SRG) were asked to complete the job within two months. However, the same has not been completed till date,” he said adding that the SRG had met on only two occasions – once on June 9, 2014 and again on July 11, 2014.
Sangma, however, refused to make any commitment on whether the government will include provision for reservation in the proposed sports policy.
Once ready the draft policy will be circulated among all the MLAs and would also be uploaded on the official website of the sports & youth affairs department to solicit views and suggestions.
Meanwhile, Sangma informed that the department was intending to set up a sports academy in the state to nurture talents in various disciplines.
“We will like to see our youth take up sports as a career. The sports academy will be a step forward towards development of sports in the State,” Sangma said.
Over 11,000 schools in State under SSA: Laloo
Deputy Chief Minister in charge Education R.C. Laloo has informed that 11,227 schools in the state were enrolled under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme.
Out of the 11227 schools, 5104 are SSA supported schools, 2623 are government schools while 3500 are government-aided schools.
He further informed that only SSA supported schools and government schools were eligible to get funds for construction of the school building under the scheme.
He also mentioned that schools should be enrolled under the SSA scheme to avail teachers’ grant.
“The school will be enrolled under the scheme only after receiving the approval from the union ministry of human resource development,” Laloo said while replying to a supplementary question of UDP legislator Metbah Lyngdoh.
Laloo further informed that the government had no intention to take over management of the LP schools in the state.
He said that 127 Government LP schools in Garo Hills were functioning with only one teacher each while 980 schools were functioning with two teachers each.
Meanwhile, Laloo said that all elementary schools in the State fell within the ambit of the RTE Act, 2009, unless exempted by the Act or a court of law.
“A notification has been issued to all local authority at the district level directing all schools to comply with the Act,” he said.
State to push for full coverage under BRGF
Community and Rural Development Minister Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday assured that the state government will impress upon the centre to implement the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) programme in the entire State.
He said that the project was currently being implemented in South Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi districts only.
According to Tynsong, a total of 478 projects were completed in South Garo Hills in BRGF between 2010-2011 and 2013-2014.
Cancer treatment on at Shillong Civil Hospital
Health and Family Welfare Minister A.L. Hek on Wednesday informed that the cobalt machine for providing radio-therapy treatment to cancer patient was functioning at the Shillong Civil Hospital.
“The health department made an interim arrangement with the North East Cancer Research Institute based at Jorabat to provide an electrometer on a temporary basis. We have taken steps to purchase the new electrometer for the cobalt machine,” Hek said while replying to a call attention motion moved by UDP’s Paul Lyngdoh.
Aged patients were being provided treatment as per the directive of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
“Since January 6, 2015, the radio-therapy treatment has been restricted by the AERB due to a non-functional survey meter. However, a new survey meter was procured and sent to AERB for calibration on March 13, 2015. We are awaiting permission from AERB after which new patients will be admitted,” Hek said.
He also informed that a total number of 2884 patients have received radio-therapy treatment in the hospital since 2006.
Umtyngar-Cherra road to be ready by May
PWD Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has informed that the 32.5-km Umtyngar-Cherra Road which has been sanctioned under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) would be completed in May, 2015.
“The main reason for the delay in completion of the road was due to change in the specification from RCC Box to two-tier HP culvert which was required as per site condition and less working season. However, the construction of the said culvert is nearing completion,” Dhar said while replying to a question raised by Sohra legislator Titosstarwell Chyne.