SHILLONG, MAR 16: Governor Ganga Prasad today said the state government is serious on regulation of mining in the state by introducing scientific approach to protect ecology, environment and the interest of the people.
Delivering his address on the first day of the budget session here on Friday, Ganga said, “My government is serious on regulation of mining in the state by introducing scientific approach to protect ecology, environment and the interest of the people in accordance with the central mines and mining regulations, taking into account the special features of the state in respect of the land tenure system and local traditional practice of the people.”
He said to this effect, the state government had sought exemption from the operations of Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 and Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957 under Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
The governor also informed that the government has also framed guidelines on coal mining so that mining activities can be taken up in the state which will be in line with the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with an aim to ensure protection of forests, water resources and bodies, environment including the health and safety of workers.
It may be mentioned here, the National Green Tribunal has banned unscientific coal mining in the state of Meghalaya for the past four years.
Stating that the law and order situation in the state is by and large peaceful, Ganga said that the internal security situation has also significantly improved in the state while lauding the state police for commendable job despite constrains of difficult terrain.
He said this has led to a large number of arrests and surrender of militants and other criminal gangs as well as recovery of huge cache of arms and ammunition as he informed 8 senior cadres of the GNLA have also recently surrendered.
The governor further informed that the areas of differences along the Assam-Meghalaya border are being monitored continuously and said, “Efforts are on to solve these differences and effective mechanisms at the level of chief ministers and chief secretaries of both the states have been created for securing a permanent solution to the issue.”
Also maintaining that the situation in the international border remained peaceful due to improved relations with the neighbouring country, Ganga said the state is committed to complete the remaining fencing on the international border at a fast pace.
According to him, this is being done by taking people into confidence to effectively contain influx of Bangladeshi nationals and transborder movement and activities of militants and anti-social elements.
He said that the state government is also in the process of implementing a new initiative of creating facilitation centers at various entry and exit points on the interstate border with Assam to check to entry of illegal migrants and other suspicious persons into Meghalaya.
Highlighting on the achievements of the government, the governor said the Meghalaya Community Participation and Public Services Social Audit Act, 2017 was enacted which is the first of its kind in the country.
“Under the act the state government shall have the overall responsibility to take follow up action on the findings of social audit,” he said.
He also informed that the government has implemented the Fifth Meghalaya Pay Commissin recommendations for the state government employees with effect from January 1, 2017.
Stating that on-line computerization of treasuries has been operationalized in all state treasuries under e-governance programme, Ganga said initiatives have also been taken by the government on e-payments through “Meg e-Payment” portal.
In an effort to address food security in the state, the governor said the agriculture department is focussing on increasing production and productivity of foodgrains, pulses and double farmers’ income by supporting schemes.
He said focus is also given to organic farming to mitigate health related problems and to help farmers tap into the growing organic market through popularization of bio-fertilizers compost making and bio-control practices for plant health management through the method of “Berkeley Method of 18 days compost making” technique aimed at covering as many farmers across the state as possible in convergence with MGNREGS.
Informing that the government also plans to come up with a policy to promote food processing sector, he said the government would set up Mega Food Parks and Clusters to ensure that the farmers get better price and added value to their produce.
Meanwhile, the governor also informed that soon Meghalaya will be declared as an Open Defecation Free (ODF) state with all the eleven districts have become open defecation free districts.
He said the government is also committed to provide adequate safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to all the inhabitants of the state.
In 2016-17, he said 82 slipped back habitations, 23 schools and 15 ICDS were covered with drinking water supply while 20 rural water supply schemes covering 66 habitations were sanctioned under state plan and works are in progress.
“As for 2017-18, the government is striving hard to provide water supply to all targeted habitations and schools,” he said.
On power, the governor informed that the Lakroh SHP (1.5MW) is expected to be completed by September this year, and Ganol HEP (3X7.5 MW) is expected to be completed by March 2019.
He said the state government has also accorded administrative approval for construction of the Riangdo SHP (3 MW) which is expected to be implemented soon.
The government is also in the process of tying up funding for the renovation, modernization and upgradation of the 2X30 MW Umiam Stage III power project under the externally aided project scheme for implementation during the 12th Plan period.
With an aim of achieving 100 per cent village and rural household electrification in the state, the government is augmenting and strengthening the power distribution network in rural areas with the implementation of projects under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY).
1,084 villages will be electrified through Grid and off-Grid solution in the state of Meghalaya, he said.
By Our Reporter
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