Govt disallows more questions on sub judice matters
SHILLONG: The government on Tuesday disallowed further queries on matters related to the progress of inquiry conducted in connection with the mysterious murder of police officer, P J Marbaniang at Patharkhmah and on the demolition of buildings along Wahumkhrah citing that the cases are sub judice.
While the case related to the police officer is pending in High Court of Meghalaya, the case of demolition of illegal constructions along Wahumkhrah is pending with the Supreme Court.
The questions were listed to be taken up during the Question Hour on Tuesday.
Plight of casual workers of Sports Council
SHILLONG: The plight of as many as 111 casual employees of State Sports Council was taken up by the Opposition members in the Assembly during the Question Hour.
In reply to a question by Embhahlang Syiemlieh (UDP), Sports Minister Zenith Sangma said that the causal employees are paid Rs 2,000 per month.
The Minister said that during the meeting held in July, a decision was taken to enhance the daily wage of the causal employees to Rs 160 and the matter was taken up with the Government. Raising a supplementary question, Jemino Mawthoh said that it was a matter of concern that the casual employees have been getting only Rs 2,000 per month for the last 10 years. To the supplementary questions raised by Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP), Paul Lyngdoh (UDP) and Saleng Sangma (Ind), the Sports Minister said that the proposal for the wage enhancement and matters related to arrears was sent by the sports council to the Sports department and subsequently it was sent to Finance department.
Frame work on mining to be placed before NGT: CM
SHILLONG: The framework on how the State Government will carry out safe mining will be submitted to NGT during the next hearing.
In reply to a question raised by T S Chyne (UDP), Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that there were a number of hearings by NGT related to the ban on coal mining and directions were also given to the State Government to approach different line ministries including the Union Ministry of Coal to work out policy guidelines. “NGT in its order dated 31.07.2015 directed the State Government to prepare the Mining Plan and Policy guidelines in consultation with the concerned ministry and approve and notify it without further delay,” the Chief Minister said.
Consultation on draft Bill
The Deputy Chief Minister in charge Law, Rowell Lyngdoh said that the Government was continuing consultation with all the political parties of the state for a fresh Bill to empower traditional heads.
In reply to a question by Paul Lyngdoh (UDP), the Deputy Chief Minister said that the government allowed the Ordinance in this regard to lapse. “We are consulting with all the stake holders on the nature of the Bill to be framed to empower the traditional institutions,” he added.
Aadhar not mandatory in first phase of Food Act implementation
SHILLONG: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Clement Marak said that in the first phase of implementation of National Food Security Act, Aadhar will not be used, but it will be made applicable in the second stage of implementation project.
In reply to questions on the nature of implementation of Food Security Act by Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP) and Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP) the Minister told the Assembly that deserving villages which were left out will be brought under the purview of the Act.
The Minister said as many as 6913 villagers were included under the system.
Mawlai MLA demands withdrawal of MUDA notification
SHILLONG: UDP legislator Embhahlang Syiemlieh moved a motion in the Assembly on Tuesday opposing the extension of MUDA notification on building byelaws to the census towns including Mawlai which he represents. Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh, meanwhile, said that past mistakes in the implementation of building byelaws should be rectified.
Raising the motion, Syiemlieh said that there was no clarity on the MUDA notification to extend the jurisdiction of building byelaws in scheduled areas. Syiemlieh said that he would never allow the extension of building byelaws to the census towns as notified by the MUDA recently.
The legislator from Mawlai also warned that before any untoward incidents take place, MUDA should withdraw the recent notification extending its jurisdiction to census towns.
He asserted that the Meghalaya Town and Country Planning Act 1973 can be made applicable only with the consent of the district councils.
In her reply, Lyngdoh brought to the notice of the House various past notifications on the implementation of building byelaws.
“We have the documentation and the mandate of the provisions of law. We have erred in the past, but this does not mean that we should continue to err in future,” she said, while calling upon the legislators to work together and correct the wrong.
