Govt defends upcoming norms for MLA schemes

SHILLONG: The State government has defended its move to frame guidelines for the implementation of MLA schemes.
Senior cabinet minister Prestone Tynsong, who attended the first meeting of the State-level Committee chaired by the chief minister to discuss the MLA schemes, said on Wednesday that the meeting remained inconclusive and new guidelines would be issued after the next meeting.
The meeting held on October 18, felt that the construction or activities directly related to assisting religious groups should not be allowed under the programme except for schools.
Another decision was to discontinue the Construction of Rural Roads Programmes (CRRP) with effect from 2016-17. Both the decisions of the government had evoked criticism from some legislators.
Tynsong said the construction of churches and temples cannot be allowed under MLA schemes but a school building is permitted.
Tynsong also reasoned that since the MLA scheme per year now stands at Rs 2 crore, the government has decided to do away with the construction of rural roads programmes as only Rs 5 lakh to each MLA is allotted under this programme.
However, the final decision will be made in the next meeting.