State Cabinet to take call on new pay, power projects

SHILLONG: The Cabinet may meet this week to decide on the new pay package for government employees as well as to discuss the status of pending power projects.
An official source said on Tuesday that the empowered committee that examined the recommendations of the fifth pay commission is ready with the report.
A Cabinet memorandum will be prepared along with the report of the empowered committee to be submitted before the cabinet, the official added.
The empowered committee did not make many changes in the recommendations of the Fifth Pay panel.
Sources said while the empowered committee did not alter the overall pay hike of 25.6 per cent, there are only a few changes in the allowances.
As far as pending power projects are concerned, Power Minister Comingone Ymbon said the Cabinet will decide whether to cancel the agreements with some private companies as there was not much progress in the implementation of the projects. The Power Department officials will also hold a meeting on November 2 to discuss the matter.
Cancer wing
A senior health official said a meeting will be held on November 17 to discuss the status of the cancer wing of the Shillong civil hospital that has been pending for many years.
While the building is ready, equipment would have to be installed to make the cancer wing functional, he added.