Question Hour
SHILLONG: The Assembly on Thursday expressed concern over the damaged transformers in the State.
In reply to a question by Congress’s Dikkanchi D. Shira, Power Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar admitted that many villages are without electricity due to the damage of transformers.
The number of damaged transformers since 2013-14 till 2016-17 is 1,859.
The damaged transformers year-wise include 2013-14 (415), 2014-15 (428), 2015-16 (492) and 2016 till February 2017 (524). The number of villages where power connection has been restored since 2013 is 1,706.
The total amount spent on repair of transformers since 2013-14 is Rs 307.63 lakh whereas the cost incurred for purchase of new transformers is Rs 506.12 lakh. To a question by Congress’s Winnerson D. Sangma, the power minister said there are three repair centres in Sumer, Dakokgre and Mendipathar for the whole state. Paul Lyngdoh (UDP), Saleng Sangma (Independent), Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP) and Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP) also raised the issue seeking intervention of the Government.
Equal remuneration
Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the Centre’s Equal Remuneration Act based on the principle of equal pay to both men and women for equal work extends to the entire country, including Meghalaya.
She was replying to a question by UDP’s Embhahlang Syiemlieh in the Assembly.
Tax on mobile towers
In response to a question on property tax on mobile towers by Diosstarness Jyndiang (HSPDP), Taxation Minister Zenith Sangma said there is no provision under the Meghalaya Municipal Act, 1973, for levying property tax on mobile towers. However, the Minister said as per the Meghalaya Building Bye Laws, 2011, there is a provision on fee chargeable for transmission towers.
Retired employees
GAD Minister HDR Lyngdoh in reply to a question raised by Winnerson D. Sangma (Congress) said two retired employees M.M Purbey, OSD and Anthony David, electrician (retd), Meghalaya House Delhi continue to occupy allotted government quarters.