Newly created districts fund

SHILLONG, MAR 16: The state government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of DoNER for construction of composite residential complex in Mawkyrwat and Khliehriat, the headquarters of newly created districts.

Replying in the assembly on Monday, Meghalaya home minister Roshan Warjri said, “The proposal under NLCPR for South West Khasi Hills and East Jaintia Hills districts, is already submitted to Ministry of DoNER.”

Warjri informed that Rs 83 crores was already sanctioned for the construction of composite residential complex at Resubelpara, North Garo hills and Ampati, South West Garo Hills districts.

On other amount sanction for creation of basic infrastructure in four new districts, Warjri said in the deputy commissioner’s establishment, Rs 12.58 crore was sanctioned for upgradation and renovation of DC office complex, Rs 28.15 for construction mini secretariat and Rs 1.49 crore for purchase of vehicles.

For the police establishment, Warjri said that Rs 3.58 crore was sanctioned for residential building, Rs 4.75 crore for administrative building and Rs 2.76 crore for purchase of vehicles. According to her, essential infrastructures for departmental offices to function are however in place.

UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh questioned whether it is a fact that some of police stations in the newly created districts are not equip with vehicles.

On this, Warjri replied, “The state government is looking into this. However as of now we have not received any complaint. A number of vehicles have been purchased by the police department for all the four districts.”

With regards to the recurring financial burden for the upkeep of these new districts, Warjri said that information is being collected.

While raising his supplementary, Independent legislator Saleng A Sangma questioned what alternative measures would the government take if the proposal under NLCPR for the two new districts were rejected as it had happened to many projects in the past.

Reply to this, Warjri said, “We will cross the bridge when we reach the river.”- By Our Reporter