SHILLONG: The State Government has given two months’ time to several important departments like Agriculture, PWD, Planning, District Council Affairs, Health, Education and others to come out with specific proposals to ensure implementation of projects in Garo Hills as per the Agreed Text for Settlement signed with ANVC-ANVC-B.
This was the decision arrived at during a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Barkos Warjri on Tuesday with various government departments.
The meeting also decided to further discuss on the minor departments which should be transferred to GHADC as part of strengthening the Council.
A senior government official, who attended the meeting, said that various clauses in the Agreed Text for Settlement were discussed in the meeting.
The Agreed Text for Settlement highlights the need to ensure all round development of Garo Hills by initiating various developmental schemes by the government departments.
As per the agreement, besides the medical college-cum-hospital which has already been approved, a General Nursing and Midwifery school as well as a para-medical institute and women and children hospital in Tura will be set up.
A Horticulture college and other technical institutions will be promoted as per the agreement. Moreover, Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) will be asked to open a research unit in an ideal location in Garo Hills.
Afforestation and plantation activities at Chokpot and Samanda will be carried out as per the Joint Forest Management Committees.
For raising green cover, bamboo plantations will be promoted besides encouraging agro-forestry.
The official level meeting also discussed health related issues including the up-gradation of district hospitals.
A study will be carried out to find out ways and means to strengthen the college and secondary/ primary education infrastructure and staffing, the official said.
The agreement also pointed out that all the semi permanent wooden bridges will be replaced by permanent RCC bridges within 12th Plan period. The state government will have to follow up on the highway connecting Dhubri, Garo Hills and Khasi Hills which has been approved by Ministry of Road Transport and High ways.
