SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government is in the process of raising the Ecological Battalion and the Home and Hearth Battalion in the state.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma announced this after the 20th Rajya Sainik Board meeting chaired by him on Wednesday.
The issue related to the raising of the ecological battalion by re-employing the ex-servicemen (ESM) as well as a Home & Hearth Battalion with strength of 1500 youth for intelligence gathering and operations from amongst local youth was discussed during the meeting.
Board Secretary Brig William Sturgeon said the proposals were being processed at the highest levels of both the Central and state government.
He also informed that the proposal for raising a Sainik School at Jonkipara area of Garobadah in Garo Hills was under process by the government.
Stating that Sainik Rest Houses with canteen stores departments and amenities for war wounded/disabled were approved to be set up in Tura and Shillong, he said the budget estimate for Rs 4.25 crore prepared by the PWD was being re-estimated.
The other issues discussed during the meeting included pre-coaching classes for the youths of the state as well as counselling classes by the directorate so that maximum youth get absorbed in the defence forces.
He said that an alternative route to Shillong View Point and also to connect 5th Mile Upper Shillong to NH 44 (Laitkor) en route to Jowai was also discussed and the matter was under process. Such a route would not only be beneficial to commuters but would boost tourism.
Earlier, chief minister Sangma assured the government ‘s commitment to the welfare of ex-servicemen, widows and dependents of the state.
