SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday announced that all Deputy Commissioners have been empowered to release Rs 25 lakh from the MLA scheme 2020-21 to the legislators.
The chief minister informed that the MLAs have to submit detailed list of essential commodities to be distributed to the beneficiaries and avail the funds, which will be sanctioned from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on immediate basis.
Addressing reporters, Conrad said that MLAs and MDCs have been requested to work in coordination with the district administration in ensuring that essential commodities are made available. He said that during this time of crisis, the public representatives, social organisations and volunteers have to come together to aid the government.
He informed that government has been engaging with MLAs to get their views and suggestions which will enable the government to streamline the delivery mechanism.
”There are issues and concerns which are very challenging but we will try our best to address those concerns. We have received positive suggestions from public representatives. The cooperation extended by the public representatives is very supportive and the crisis has united representatives from across parties,” said the chief minister.
Sawkmie raises
concerns of poor
Opposition Chief Whip and Congress legislator P T Sawkmie has apprised the chief minister that many BPL families in Mawlai constituency as well as other parts of the state are not having BPL cards. The government should provide assistance to all sections, he added.
He also urged the chief minister to provide financial assistance to domestic workers. Besides, the salary of employees working in private companies should not be deducted by the employers, he said.
“There should be a bailout plan for employees residing in rented houses and the farmers in the state should be provided with financial assistance”, he added.
Post lockdown
Earlier, on questions related to post lockdown from April 14, the chief minister said that all countries,
including India are taking measures and Meghalaya as a state is also prepared to deal with the situation. He added that government is aware of the Covid-19 crisis globally and is prepared to designate a hospital for similar cases in the future.
Urging the people of the state to cooperate with the government during this crisis, the Chief Minister said that through this lockdown we should be able to break the transmission chain.
