Mukul seeks enhanced funding for NEC

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday reiterated the need for additional budgetary allocation to the North Eastern Council.
Speaking at the 65th plenary session of the NEC here, the chief minister lamented that there is a continuous decline in the actual release of funds to the NEC by the Union government which has compelled many states to avoid taking up important projects despite those being prioritized.
He also said some of the projects under NLCPR may be allocated to NEC for implementation of inter sectoral and integrated development plans in various Northeastern states, even as he added that NEC should act as an extension of various ministries of the Union government and bring out bulletins informing State governments about various schemes and initiatives introduced by the Central government.
“The NEC may also consider extending necessary technical assistance to the states in   preparation of DPRs besides independent evaluation and monitoring,” he said.
The chief minister also sought technical and financial support from NEC for accelerating the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihoods Promotion Programme being implemented in Meghalaya.
He also stressed on the need to provide necessary infrastructure to enable the use of telemedicine in civil hospitals, PHCs and CHCs across the region, even as he sought financial support to set up an independent food testing laboratory in Shillong.
He also proposed to establish an open school for children with special needs at Shillong besides stressing on the need to set up a regional sports academy in the State capital.
The chief minister also asked for immediate up gradation and expansion of the Shillong Airport for facilitating the landing of bigger aircrafts besides seeking support to make the Baljek Airport functional.
He also asserted that there is a need for dedicated funds to be placed with the NEC for inter-state road development programmes even as he asked the NEC to support the State government’s project of widening the 18 kms stretch of the Shillong-Umiam highway.