More border haats
The Governor Tathagata Roy on his maiden address on the first day of the Budget session highlighted on the success of the border haats.
He said with the success of implementation of the Border Haats at Kalaichar, West Garo Hills District and Balat, East Khasi Hills District, the Indian government and the People Republic of Bangladesh has approved the setting up of four more new Border Haats along the Indo-Bangla International border.
RTI Act
The Meghalaya State Information Commission oversees the implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in the entire state. The Governor informed that a total of 5231 requests were received by Public Information Officers till the end of September, 2018.
Out of these, 5150 requests were disposed of by the PIOs which is about 98.45 per cent, 81 requests were rejected or deemed to have been refused by the PIOs and disciplinary action under the Act was taken against 6 PIOs and the Commission received 17 appeals and complaints.
Prisons
Speaking about the function of prisons, Roy said to strengthen the security of the jail, CCTVs for the existing 4 jails in the state is under process, except at Shillong District Jail where it has been already been installed.
He added that E-Prisons software was launched at the 3 district jails in the state, except at Tura and Williamnagar Jail which will be launched soon and the prison website will also be launched.
National Games
With the state set to host the 39th National Games 2022, the Governor said plans are already on the way to ensure the Games are conducted successfully and various committees have been notified and the draft master plan is being prepared.
For PWDs
Under the Scheme of Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA), 50 websites have been made accessible to Persons with Disabilities and 65 government buildings have been provided with ramps.
Open Defecation Free (ODF) status
The state has achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status from the year 208 onwards, the Governor informed.
On the other hand, he said the state has taken up activities under Solid and Liquid Waste Management aimed at evolving effective community managed systems to deal with the problem of unregulated generation and disposal of waste.
Elephant corridors
To tackle the man-animal conflict, the Governor said the elephant Corridors have been identified and are to besecured by acquisition or agreements for Joint Management with the land owners.
Animal husbandry
The Governor informed that the Central Dairy at Mawiong will be strengthened to the capacity of handling 40 thousand liters of milk per day from the existing 10 thousand liters under the National Programme of Dairy Development.
Irrigation
The identified irrigation potential of Meghalaya is about 2.18 lakh hectares and about 1500 hectares of additional area has been brought under irrigation in the year 2018-19 taking the total irrigated area to 55, 539 hectares, the Governor said.
Health and Family Welfare
The Governor also informed of the state Cabinet’s decision to approve the Free Drugs Policy by which 76 essential drugs shall be provided free of cost to patients in government health facilities. The Essential drugs list has also been approved by the state and all efforts are being made to ensure regular supply of drugs to all PHCs, CHCs and district hospitals. He also highlighted about the implementation of MHIS-IV.
House remembers former MLA
The Assembly on Friday remembered former Rongram legislator and minister Crunden S Sangma who passed away in January.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Congress legislators Zenith Sangma and Charles Pyngrope and Deputy Speaker Timothy Shira recalled the contribution of the late MLA during the obituary reference.
They said the late legislator started his political career with All People’s Hill Leaders Conference and successfully contested the three consecutive terms from Rongram from 1978 to 1993.
He had served as animal husbandry and veterinary minister and held other portfolios.