SHILLONG/TURA/JOWAI: Two of the three district councils in the state presented their budgets on Tuesday.
While the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) had a deficit budget of Rs 49,560 for the fiscal year 2018-19, its Garo Hills counterpart saw the approval of Rs 63.9-crore provisional budget for April 1-July 1.
KHADC chief executive PN Syiem, while presenting the deficit budget, said the total estimated expenditure is Rs 213.53 crore (Rs 213,53,36,970) and the anticipated revenue collection is Rs 213.52 crore (Rs 213,52,87,410).
Speaking on the administration of Justice and Judicial Department, Syiem said, “The Executive Committee has decided to create one post for magistrate and to increase the number of staff in the department. The Council, with the assistance of NIC, Meghalaya will soon implement the Court Information System for speedy and smooth functioning of the department.”
The CEM informed that the construction of Council Guest House as well as the extension of District Council Court is complete. He hoped that construction of the Khasi Traditional Medicine Institute and Research Centre and the Khasi Traditional Museum will be complete this year.
In Garo Hills, the newly appointed chief executive member of the district council, Dipul R Marak, presented Rs 63.9-crore (Rs 63,89,54,977) budget on the first day of the provisional budget session on Tuesday.
The budget was approved by a show of hands by all MDCs who are part of the NPP-led ruling coalition Garo Hills Progressive Alliance. Interestingly, chairs on the opposition side remained empty throughout the session as all of them preferred to stay away.
As per the budget, civil works received the largest chunk of Rs 15.5 crore (Rs 15,50,15,200), followed by loans and advances with Rs 10.5 crore.
Revised pay for
KHADC staff
Stating that the expenditure on salaries of the council employees has been enhanced in all the departments, Syiem said the Executive Committee has decided to approve the revised pay scale for council employees as per the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission implemented since January 1, 2017. He added that the arrear of the staff was released in January this year.
Central grants
Syiem informed that the Centre recently released Rs 32,24,70,000 grant for excluded areas under Part IX and IXA of the Constitution for 2017-18.
To implement the grant, the Planning and Implementation Committee has been in place to carry on the work as per guidelines.
Syiem informed that construction of the two-storeyed office of the executive in place of the old Council session hall, repair of the Wahkaji-Mawthabah road, Phlangdiloin-Wahkaji and other development works have been sanctioned under the grant.
KHADC has received a sanction of Rs 9.6 crore, which is the remaining amount from the special assistance of the Central Plan Scheme 2016-17.
As for the scheme, he said the council has completed 80 per cent of the works and utilisation certificates will soon be submitted.
Road infrastructure
The CEM told the House that the Executive Committee has given permission to the state government to develop roads like Shillong-Nongstoin-Riangdo road,
Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai, Riangdo-Athiabari-Hahim, Ranikor-Maheshkhola-Baghmara, Shillong Western bypass and a part of Shillong-Dawki road, among others.
“The Executive Committee has also given its approval for setting up of entry-exit points at Athiabari, Byrnihat and Nongpoh,” Syiem said and added that other infrastructure includes Fire Brigade and Bus Terminus in different places.
VAB & MUDA
Syiem pointed out that the KHADC Executive Committee will follow up on the issue of the Village Administration Bill and MUDA.
GHADC chairman
GHADC Deputy Chairman Metrinson G Momin said the post of the chairman has been rendered vacant due to the resignation of Congress MDC Sadhiarani M Sangma. He said nomination to the post will take place on Wednesday followed by scrutiny and voting in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, it is being largely speculated that the post of chairman is likely to go to former CEM Denang T Sangma while that of the Deputy CEM will be given to NPP MDC from Damas, Dolly K Sangma.
JHADC budget
The budget session of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District will begin on Wednesday, Chairman Arborhima Darnei said on Tuesday.
An important issue that will figure during the budget session is non-payment of two months’ salary. “We are paid once in two to three months that too only a month’s salary, which is nothing but just an advance payment,” a JHADC employee said.
Besides, the incumbent CEM Andrew Shullai is facing ouster threat as the opposition wants a non-Congress Executive Committee.
“The move to remove Shullai will continue after the budget session,” one of the members said.
