Social security benefits to unorganized sectors on the anvil
SHILLONG: Labour Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed the Assembly on Friday that the State Social Security Board meant to provide benefits to the unorganized sectors has been constituted.
In reply to a question by Jemino Mawthoh (UDP),the Labour Minister said that the Board consists members including legislators RV Lyngdoh, James Sangma, senior government official DP Wahlang and retired members of MPSC.
Replying to a supplementary question, the Minister said that he Committee is yet to meet and finalize on the benefits to be rolled out.
The Speaker said that two more legislators should be included in the Board which was agreed to by the Minister.
Rewards to Govt staff
In reply to a separate question by Paul Lyngdoh(UDP), Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that in order to reward the government employees for their outstanding performance, attendance, discipline in office among others , the government instituted the Meghalaya Day Excellence Award in 2005.
The award carries a citation with a cash prize of Rs 20,000.
The Chief Minster said that cash reward is also given to employees of Secretariat who are most punctual and regular (Rs 10,000 for employees with 100 per cent punctuality and Rs 7500 for employees with 80 to 99% punctuality).
53 industries in Byrnihat
The Chief Minister, who also holds Industries portfolio, said that 53 industrial units have been granted license by the single window agency at Byrnihat from 2008 till 2015.
In his reply to Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP), the Chief Minister said that the facilities provided to the industrialists include allotment of land at the Export Promotion Industrial Park and Extended Export Promotion Industrial Park, Byrnihat, benefits under Meghalaya Industrial policy, Northeast Industrial Promotion Policy, Transport Subsidy and Freight Subsidy.
Ban imposed on adhoc appointments
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday informed the House that departments and officers have been directed to stop adhoc appointments.
He added that the appointing authority making such appointments will be held responsible for any deviation from the directive.
In a written reply to a call attention motion tabled by John Leslee Sangma (Independent), the Chief Minister said that with a view to put a stop to irregular appointments, the government had issued directions to the all the departments.
The appointing authorities were directed not to resort to any adhoc appointments, but to strictly follow the standing orders of the government, he said.
The call attention motion is related to the submission of memorandum of adhoc government employees of various departments in Garo Hills to the Chief Minister urging to regularize their temporary appointments.
Govt admits illegal felling of trees
Forest Minister Prestone Tynsong on Friday admitted that illegal felling of trees in vulnerable pockets in some of the reserve forests especially in Garo Hills were detected recently.
In a written reply in Assembly to the call attention motion moved by John Leslee Sagma (Independent), the Minister said that the Forest department has taken steps to stop the menace.
State police has also stepped up vigil in vulnerable areas, he added.
The Minister also indicated that illegal felling of trees may also be taking place in plantations under the management of GHADC.
He said several cases were filed against those who operate sawmills in the State besides seizure of timber. As many as 55 trucks were also seized.
Demand for district status for Sohra
Sohra MLA Titosstarwell Chyne (UDP) on Friday asserted that Sohra Circle Sub Division was fit to be upgraded into a new district.
Participating in the general discussion on Budget in the Assembly on Friday Chyne said that the Sohra Circle Sub Division created way back in 1978 had all the required infrastructure for the establishment of a new district.
Chyne even suggested that the new district can be named South East Khasi Hills. He further asked the State Government to upgrade the Laitlyngkot Primary Heath Centre, as mark of respect and in memory of former Chief Minister Late B.B. Lyngdoh.
The legislator also questioned the delay in sanction of funds for the Sohra Ecological Project. “This project should be completed at the earliest,” he said, adding that the Government should also initiate the process of a new building for Sohra Circuit House since many VIPs visit Sohra and stay there.
Re-advertisement of non bonded nurses posts
The allotment of grace marks for candidates, who appeared in the Non Bonded Nurses examination held in 2013, without the approval of the State Government has led the government to re-advertise the posts.
In reply to a question by Paul Lyngdoh (UDP), Health Minister AL Hek on Friday said that following a news report in 2013 on granting grace marks for the post of nurses, a committee was constituted to inquire into the matter. Hek said based on the findings of the committee, a decision to re-advertise the post was arrived at in the interest of public service.
There were 719 candidates for the post of Non Bonded Nurses and the total vacancies were 180.
To a supplementary question, the Health Minister said that the Departmental Recruit Committee did not get the approval of the government to provide grace marks to the candidates.
According to Hek, following the findings of the committee to re-advertise the posts, a meeting has been convened in April to discuss the matter to be attended by officials of Health, Law, and Personnel departments.
Earlier, Lyngdoh pointed out that going by the case, there is lack of transparency and accountability in the recruitment process. He also said that since two and half years have lapsed, many candidates have crossed their age limit to reappear for examinations.