SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Deputy CEM, Gigur Myrthong, on Wednesday, presented a Rs 50,910 deficit budget of the Council for 2020-21.
The projected expenditure stood at Rs 243,72,89,930 while the estimated revenue was pegged at Rs 243,72,39,020.
Delivering his maiden budget speech at the Council, Myrthong informed that the Centre has sanctioned financial assistance in the form of grant for the excluded areas under Part IX and IX A of the Constitution for the year 2019-20.
Informing that the Centre has released the first installment of Rs 27,60,39,000 to the KHADC, he said that the Council is looking forward to the second installment, which will be distributed to the MDCs.
He said that the central grant helped the KHADC in supporting several families affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds received under the Excluded Areas (2017-18) have been crucial for the construction of the additional building of the KHADC, which houses the rooms for officers and staff,
executive committee meeting room, parking for the Council members, construction of the Branch office in Mawkyrwat and District Council Court at Nongstoin, the deputy CEM said.
Emphasising on other developmental works, Myrthong informed that activities at Maraikaphon and Wah-U-Tim tourist spot in Mawlong Syiemship is ongoing.
Repair works at Byrnihat and Laitlyngkot market is expected to be completed this year, he added.
“The works for Khasi Traditional and Cultural Center (Resort) at Kalong Bridge is under way and about 90 per cent of the construction of the Khasi Traditional Medicine Institute has been completed, which includes the administrative block, library, therapy room, rest room for patients, training room, canteen and staff quarter,” he said.
Coming back to the Council, the deputy CEM informed that Rs 1 crore has been distributed to all MDCs out of the grant released by the Centre for the year 2018-19.
Myrthong said that the executive committee will find out ways and means to improve the revenue of the Council.
Quarantine centre
Executive Member (EM) Teiborlang Pathaw informed that the KHADC has granted permission for the Council buildings at Mawkyrwat and Nongpoh to be used as quarantine centre. The CEM Titosstarwell Chyne further informed that the buildings have so far not been used by the Council.
Border committee
CEM Titosstarwell Chyne on Wednesday announced the Council will constitute a special committee on the inter-state border dispute.
Earlier, the CEM said that circular for free land records has been issued in reply to a written query with regard to the various steps taken by the Council pertaining to land registration along the border and its adjourning areas.
Council remembers Massar
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) remembered late GS Massar, who passed away on April 22. CEM Titos Chyne said that Massar proved to be a good legislator as well as an efficient administrator who had contributed significantly towards the welfare and interest of the Council and the state as a whole.
HSPDP MDC, Martle Mukhim fondly remembered him as a man of foresight who was ready to help the poor and would take up their case without any payment.
He was a member of the Council for the term 1979-1984, 1984-1989, 1989 and 1994 representing Nongshken Constituency.