Deborah asks Syiem to meet CM on scheme
SHILLONG: School Education and Literacy Minister Deborah Marak on Friday asked Congress legislator P.N Syiem to drop into the office of the Chief Minister to know about the status of the school schemes pending with the Planning Department.
During the question hour, Syiem wanted to know the status of boys’ and girls’ hostels of St Mary’s Secondary School at Rangblang in South West Khasi Hills and those of Divine Mercy Secondary School at Umdang in South West Khasi Hills, both up to Higher Secondary School proposed under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources.The schemes were sent to the Planning Department in 2013.
Replying to a query on whether the projects will be implemented, the minister said since the schemes are retained by the Planning Department, the member can meet the chief minister who is in charge of the department. “The district council is very near to the CM’s office. He can quietly go there and request him to include these schemes in the priority list,” Marak said.
In reply, Syiem agreed to meet the chief minister if he is available. The chief minister said the suggestion given by the minister is correct and the reply of the member is also correct. He, however, pointed out that the delay in the submission of utilisation certificates under NLCPR schemes had resulted in the Centre not releasing money for other Government projects. The CM said the Government is supposed to send such proposals for funds available with the NEC. “The schemes can be funded from the state plan also,” he added.
Over Rs 5 cr decrease in liquor revenue
SHILLONG: There is a decrease in revenue due to the closure of retail liquor shops in the State, Excise Minister Zenith Sangma informed the Assembly on Friday.
In reply to a question by Winnerson D. Sangma (Congress), the minister said there is a decrease of over Rs 5.29 crore in terms of revenue. According to Zenith, there is a marginal loss of revenue due to the closure of liquor stores as during the financial year 2016-17 up to January, the revenue collection was Rs 127,00,60,275 as against Rs 132,29,81228 collected over the same period of time last financial year.
Raising a supplementary question, Winnerson pointed out that the sale of illicit liquor is on the rise in Tura.
In reply, the minister said that regular raids are on to check illicit sale of liquor.
‘e-check gates’ soon
SHILLONG: The State Government is planning to implement e-check gates which will start operating soon, Taxation Minister Zenith Sangma said in the Assembly on Friday. The issues related to coal trucks and their passage through check gates was raised by Congress’s Dikkanchi D. Shira.
The minister said the number of coal trucks passing through the check gates is calculated manually. To a question by NPP’s John Leslee Sangma, the minister said CCTV cameras are installed in most of the check gates.
No public toilets at Umiam view point
SHILLONG: The State Government is looking for a temporary solution to the problem of lack of public toilets at the Umiam viewpoint that records heavy tourist footfall. The Government has tied up with automobile companies near the viewpoint to help ease tourists’ problems.
HSPDP’s Diosstarness Jyndiang expressed concern in the Assembly on Friday over the State Government not constructing any public toilet at the tourist spot. He also said it was disgusting to see people urinating near the viewpoint.
In reply, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said there were a number of meetings with NGOs and traditional heads, among others, to address the issue.
To a question by John Leslee Sangma (Independent) on setting up of mobile toilets, the chief minister said the area is not suitable to set up such toilets.
“Though currently tourists can use the toilets of the automobile showrooms, we will further examine the situation to offer assistance to tourists including availability of toilets,” the chief minister said.
Witting demands apology from ex-DC
SHILLONG: HSPDP member Witting Mawsor has sought apology from the former deputy commissioner of West Khasi Hills, S. Kharlyngdoh, for misleading Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh on allotment of land to BSF.
Raising a point of order in the Assembly on Friday, Mawsor said the reply of the Home Minister on March 21 to a call attention motion moved by D. Jyndiang was that he, along with 10 landowners had met the then deputy commissioner and agreed to offer land to BSF, which according to Mawsor was not true.
“We never met the Deputy Commissioner,” Mawsor said while adding that it was wrong and misleading and the official should apologise to him.
Later, Mawsor told this reporter that when inquired, the Home Minister told him that it was Kharlyngdoh who had informed him about the meeting regarding the offer of land to BSF.