Meghalaya Legislative Assembly

MEGHALAYA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

BUDGET SESSION

STARRED

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Tuesday, the 5th April, 2005.

Construction, blacktopping etc. of roads

Shri B.G. MOMIN		Shri B.A. SANGMA [Minister in-charge, PWD (Roads)]
*208. Will the Minister in-charge, Public Works be pleased to state :-
(a) Whether the following proposals approved/endorsed by the Chief Minister (Planning) and the Deputy Chief Minister (Finance) (Vide Letter no. 6-cc-MSLC.2004/17 Dt.8.3.05 and the No.6cc.MSLC.2004/18 Dt.9.3.05) have been received ?		(a) Yes, Sir.
(1)Construction of road from Bangsiapal to Guresimram - 2.5 Km ?
(2) Construction Gravelling and black topping of Link road from Lower Dilma to Babupura connecting Industrial Estate (Mendipathar) 1.5 Km ?
(3) Blacktopping of road from Bajengdoba to Sualmari via Thorikokana (remaining proportion from 7-10) ?
(4) Improvement including Metalling and Blacktopping of PWD roads from Mendipathar to Kawak (remaining portion from 1.5 to 3 Km ?
(5) Improvement including Metalling and Blacktopping of Dilmasoksan - Matrang PWD Road remaining portion from 2 to 3 Km ?
(b) if so, whether necessary funds will be allocated within this Financial Year ?		(b) The schemes are under process for sanctioning, hence no fund is allotted at present.

Acquisition of Land at Byrnihat

Shri E.K. SANGMA		Dr. D.D. LAPANG (Chief Minister in-charge Industries)
*209. Will the Minister in-charge, Industries be pleased to state :-
(a) The latest position of the proposed acquisition of land at Byrnihat by the Industries Department ?		(a) The proposal is under process, Sir.
(b) The total cost of the land ?		(b) Does not arise in view of (a) above.

Yatriniwas at Shillong

Shri A.L. HEK		Smti. D. C. MARAK (Minister in-charge, Tourism)
*210. Will the Minister in-charge, Tourism be pleased to state the reasons why the Yatriniwas at Shillong adjacent to Orchid Hotel, Shillong had not been commissioned till date ?		Yatri Niwas Shillong will be commissioned as soon as the building works are completed.

Sericulture Farms

Shri T.C. LYNGDOH		Shri SAYEEDULLAH NONGRUM (Minister in-charge Sericulture & Weaving )
*211. Will the Minister in-charge, Sericulture farms in the State and their locations ?		Sir, there are 12(twelve) Nos. of farms in the State located at Shillong, Ummulong (2 Nos.), Moodymmai, Dilma and Tura, Nongpoh, Kdiap, Bonegiri and Ronglhongiri, Umsohpieng and Resubelpara.

Tax for carrying Limestone

Shri D.P. IANGJUH

Shri J.D. RYMBAI
( Minister in-charge Taxation )

*212. Will the Minister in-charge, Taxation be pleased to state :-

(a) Whether it is a fact that trucks carrying limestone and plying from Mawsynram to Byrnihat have to pay tax at the following locations :-

1.	Forest Mawsynram	-	Yes, Sir.
2.	Forest 7th Mile	-	No, Sir.
3.	Sales Tax Byrnihat	-	Yes, Sir.
4.	District Council Byrnihat	-	No, Sir.
5.	Forest Byrnihat	-	No, Sir.
6.	M.V.I Byrnihat.	-	No, Sir.
7.	D.M.R. Byrnihat	-	Yes. Sir.

(a) Royalty is collected by Forest Department at Mawsynram and free endorsements made for consignments going outside the State at Byrnihat.

(b) If so, the actual amount collected at each location ?

(b) 1. The year wise collection by Forest Department is as follows : 2002-2003-Byrnihat - Rs.4,220.00/- (Rupees Four thousand two hundred twenty) only. Mawsynram - Rs.13,68,340.00/- (Rupees thirteen lakhs sixty eight thousand three hundred and forty) only. 2003-2004 Byrnihat - Rs.4,620.00/- (Rupees four thousand six hundred twenty) only Mawsynram - Rs.7,15,160.00/- (Rupees seven lakhs, fifteen thousand one hundred sixty) only. 2004-2005 - Byrnihat - Rs.2481.00/- (Rupees two thousand four hundred eighty one) only. Mawsynram - Rs.12,37,140.00/- (Rupees twelve lakhs thirty seven thousand one hundred forty) only.

2. The actual amount of additional tax collected by Taxation Department at Byrnihat checkgate for the period 6.9.2004 to 22.3.2004 is Rs.17,69,411/- (Rupees seventeen lakhs sixty nine thousand, four hundred eleven) only.

3. The actual amount of mineral cess on limestone collected at Byrnihat during 2003-2004 is Rs.1,13,815,00/- and during 2004-2005 is Rs.1,43,572.00/- (Rupees one lakh forty three thousand five hundred seventy two) only.

Electric Supply

Shri H.S. LYNGDOH		Dr. DONKUPAR ROY (Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Power )
*213. Will the Minister in-charge, Power be pleased to state :-
(a) Whether it is a fact that Meghalaya is taking electric supply from Assam ?		(b) No, Sir.
(b) The reason why Meghalaya has no electricity project with Central funding during the last two years ?		(b) Central Government does not provide fund for power projects under State Sector, Sir. However 1.5 MW Sonapani Mini HEP and 1.5 MW Lakroh Mini HEP are being financed upto 75% of the estimated cost by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) Government of India.

Coal Transporting Trucks

Shri M. SUCHIANG		Shri J.D. RYMBAI (Minister in-charge Transport )
*214. Will the Minister in-charge, Transport be pleased to state :-
(a) The daily average number of trucks transporting coal from the District of Jaintia Hills to other places outside the State ?		(a) Sir, the average number of trucks plying during the dry season is 500 to 600, while during the rainy season this number varies from 150 to 200.
(b) The permitted quantity of coal that each truck is allowed to carry ?		(b) Load to be carried by a truck depends on its type, size and conditions as also road or bridge limitations.
(c) The methods used to determine the weight of the coal in the trucks ?		(c) & (d). At present the weight of coal in the trucks determined successfully by using either the weightment at a weightbridge or the volumetric measurement system.
(d) How far are such methods successful ?

Schemes under DTFM

Shri E.K. SANGMA		Shri D.C. MARAK (Minister in-charge Arts & Culture
*215. Will the Minister in-charge, Arts & Culture be pleased to state :-
(a) Whether the Government has fulfilled the assurance given on the floor of the House by the concerned Minister for re-sanctioning of the schemes under DTFM for 2003-2004 ?		(a) The Department has taken steps for re-sanctioning of the scheme. he scheme is expected to be re-sanctioned this year.
(b) If not, the latest position ?		(b) Does not arise in view of (a) above.

Amusement Park

Shri A.L. HEK		Shri D.C. MARAK (Minister in-charge Tourism)
*216. Will the Minister in-charge, Tourism be pleased to state whether the Government has any plan to set up an amusement park in the State ?		Based upon a proposal by the State Government, an Amusement Park has been sanctioned at the Water Sports Complex, Umiam, Barapani by the Central Government.

Clothes Making Centres

Shri T.C. LYNGDOH		Shri SAYEEDULLAH NONGRUM (Minister in-charge Sericulture & Weaving )
*217. Will the Minister in-charge, Sericulture be pleased to state the number of centres for making clothes		Sir, there are 33 (thirty-three) Nos. of Handloom Centres under the Department.

Central Fund

Shri H.S. LYNGDOH

Dr. DONKUPAR ROY
(Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Finance )

*218. Will the Minister in-charge, Finance be pleased to state :-

(a) The amount of fund Government of Meghalaya has received from the Central fund during the year 2000 to 2004 ?

(a) The amount of fund received by the State Government from the Central Government during 2000 to 20004 is as follows :-

(i)	2000-2001 - Rs.995.22 crores (of which Rs.68.35 crores is loan)
(ii)	2001 - 2002 - Rs.964.33 crores (of which Rs.71.01 crores is loan)
(iii)	2002 -2003 - Rs.1222.20 crores (of which Rs.170.92 crores is loan)
(iv)	2003 - 2004 - Rs. 1225.40crores (of which Rs.133.21 crores is loan)

(b) Whether the whole amount of fund received have been utilised ?

(b) & (c) Fund received from the Centre has been placed at the disposal of implementing Departments for utilization. Since information regarding its utilization is not available with Finance Department, hence the same is being collected from all implementing Departments.

Police Outpost at Psiar Village

Shri M. SUCHIANG		Dr. D.D. LAPANG (Chief Minister in-charge Personnel)
*219. Will the Minister in-charge, Home (Police) be pleased to state :-
(a) Whether it is a fact that the Government intends to establish police outpost at Psiar village of Jaintia Hills District?		(a) No, Sir.
(b) If the reply to (a) above is in the affirmative when is it likely to be implemented ?		(b) Does not arise in view of the reply to (a) above.

Adhoc Appointment

Shri B. G. MOMIN		Dr. D.D. LAPANG (Chief Minister in-charge Personnel)
*220. Will the Minister in-charge, Personnel be pleased to state :-
(a) Since when Adhoc appointments have been banned?		(a) The first Order has issued during October 1987 and was reiterated during April 2002, Sir.
(b) Whether action will be taken if any Adhoc appointments is made by any Department ?		(b) Government will take a serious view of the matter, Sir.

Crowborough Hotel

Shri A.L. HEK		Shri D.C. MARAK (Minister in-charge Tourism)
*221. Will the Minister in-charge, Tourism be pleased to state the position of the Crowborough Hotel at Shillong ?		With the recent settlement of the arbitration case concerning Crowborough Hotel, steps will now be taken for its completion and utilization.

Revenue Generation

Shri T.C. LYNGDOH		Shri SAYEEDULLAH NONGRUM (Minister in-charge Animal Husbandry & Veterinary )
*222. Will the Minister in-charge, Animal & Veterinary be pleased to state whether the Department generates revenue from the sale of eggs, clothes, pigs, milk and rabbits ?		Yes, Sir. The revenue generated from the sale of eggs, chickens, pigs, rabbits during 2002-2004 is also as follows :- 1. Poultry Section - Rs.49,32,127/- (This includes sale of eggs, chickens, etc) 2. Piggery Section - Rs.25,84,941/- (Sale of piglets and adult pigs etc.) 3. Dairy Section - Rs.1,21,19,387/- (Sale of milk cream etc.) 4. Sale of Rabbit - Rs.56,165/-

Incidence of Drug Abuse

Shri MIHSALAN SUCHIANG

Dr. MUKUL SANGMA
[(Minister in-charge, Home (Police)]

*223. Will the Minister in-charge, Home be pleased to state :-

(a) Whether it is a fact that incidence of drug abuse and addiction is on the rise in the State ?

(a) No, Sir.

(b) The drugs that are most commonly used and sold in the State ?

(b) The drugs that are commonly used and sold in the state are : (1) Marijuana (Ganja) (2) Heroine (3) Pharmaceuticals (narcotics based medicines such as codeine, morphine, spasmoproxivon, diazapam).

(d) The District - wise number of known and suspected drug peddlers ?

(d) The District-wise number of known and suspected drug peddlers :

1.	East Khasi Hills	-	37 Nos.
2.	West Khasi Hills	-	Nil
3.	Jaintia Hills	-	24 Nos.
4.	Ri-Bhoi	-	1 No.
5.	East Garo Hills	-	Nil
6.	West Garo Hills	-	12 Nos.
7.	South Garo Hills	-	Nil

State Reservation Policy

Shri B. G. MOMIN		Dr. D.D. LAPANG (Chief Minister in-charge Personnel)
*224. Will the Minister in-charge, Personnel be pleased to state :-
(a) Whether the State Reservation Policy is applicable to the Government sponsored Corporations/Statutory bodies ?		(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Whether vacancies in the Government Sponsored Corporation/Statutory Bodies can be filled up on Adhoc basis ?		(b) The instructions banning Adhoc appointments in Government are not applicable to Corporations/Bodies under the State Government.

Pedaldoba - Raksamgre PWD Road

Shri E.K. SANGMA		Shri B.A. SANGMA [Minister in0charge, Public Works (Roads)]
*225. Will the Minister in-charge, Public Works (Roads) be pleased to state :-
(a) Whether the Government is aware of the fact that portions of the improvement and black topping work of the Pedaldoba to Raksamgre PWD Roads has been left out by the contractors ?		(a) No, Sir.
(b) The present status of payments to the contractors ?		(b) All the payment to the contractors for the work done have been made, Sir.

Machines for Making Clothes

Shri T.C. LYNGDOH		Shri SAYEEDULLAH NONGRUM (Minister in-charge Sericulture & Weaving)
*226. Will the Minister in-charge, Sericulture be pleased to state the Department is still using traditional machines or up-to-date machines for making clothes out of the yarns ?		Sir, the Department is using semi-improved fly shuttle looms made of wooden frame instead of machines.

Strawberry Cultivation

Shri M. SUCHIANG		Shri H.D.R. LYNGDOH (Minister in-charge, Horticulture )
*227. Will the Minister in-charge, Horticulture be pleased to state :-
(a) The total area under Strawberry cultivation in the State ?		(a) The total are under Strawberry cultivation in the State is 10.8 hectares.
(b) When was the Scheme first started and where ?		(b) Departmentally, the cultivation of strawberries was initiated in 2004-2005 in Ri-Bhoi only as a Pilot Project which is still under evaluation. If found successful, a formal scheme will be formulated for taking up the large scale cultivation of strawberries in the farmer's fields. The State Plan Scheme for strawberries will commence from the year 2005-2006. The State Government has approved Rs.10 lakhs for the scheme in 2005-2006.l
(c) The gestation period and the life span of a strawberry plant ?		(c) The gestation of strawberry is about 75 days to 90 days and the lifespan is 6 to 8 months.
(d) Whether cultivation of strawberries is economically profitable ?		(d) Yes, Sir.
(e) How are strawberries marketed ?		(e) Farmers are marketing the strawberries either directly, or through private traders/entrepreneurs, at various location such as Guwahati and Shillong.

Low Tension Lines

Shri B. G. MOMIN		Dr. DONKUPAR ROY (Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Power)
*228. Will the Minister in-charge, Power be pleased to state :-
(a) Whether the proposals to electrify and extension of Low Tension lines to the following villages under Mendipathar Sub-division will be considered during the current financial year ? (i) Gajing Chanmary (extention works) (ii) Arobakgittim (extention works) (iii) New Chiprap (extention) (iv) Soenangaga (extension) (v) Blisagittim (extension) (vi) Balnanggre.		(a) Yes, Sir. The villages which are included in the census for the year 2001 will be electrified under the ongoing PMGY Schemes.
(b) (i) Matchukigiri (ii) Bolsong-B-Mohol (iii) Malaram (iv) Thorika Nalsa under Bajengdoba Sub-division		(b) Yes, Sir. The villages which are included in the census for the 2001 will be electrified under the ongoing PMGY Schemes. For other already electrifies villages extension of lines, construction of new sub-station under different schemes like sub-stations under schemes like DMP will be taken up during 2005-06.

Amount received under SSA and EGS

Shri E.K. SANGMA

Dr. MUKUL SANGMA
(Minister in-charge, Education)

*229. Will the Minister in-charge, Elementary & Mass Education be pleased to state :-

(a) The total amount received so far from the Government of India under SSA and EGS ?

(a) The amount received so far from the Government of India are as follows :-

2001-02	-	Rs.795.27 lakhs
2002-03	-	Rs.711.37 lakhs
2003-04	-	Rs.825.77 lakhs
2004-05	-	Rs.1926.00 lakhs
Total	-	Rs.4258.41 lakhs

(b) The number of schooless villages covered so far under these schemes ?		(b) The total number of Schooless villages covered so far under the Scheme is 837.
(c) The annual expenditure per school categories ?		(c) The Annual Expenditure per School category-wise is as follows :- Primary :- Salary - Rs.3000 ×12 = Rs.36000/- School Grant-Rs.2000 = Rs.2000/- Rs.38000/- Upper Primary :- Salary - Rs.6000 ×12 = Rs.36000/- School Grant- Rs.2000 = Rs.2000/- Rs.74000/-

Construction on Retaining Wall

Shri A L. HEK		Smti D.C. MARAK (Minister in-charge, Tourism)
*230. Will the Minister in-charge, Tourism be pleased to state the amount sanctioned for the construction wall at the Shillong Golf Course ?		No amount has been sanctioned for the construction of the retaining wall at the Shillong Golf Course.

Mini Stadiums

Shri M. SUCHIANG Shri B.G. MOMIN		Shri PAUL LYNGDOH (Minister in-charge, Sports & Youth Affairs)
*231. Will the Minister in-charge, Sports & Youth Affairs be pleased to state :-
(a) The total number of mini stadiums in the State constructed by the Department so far ?		(a) 58 (Fifty eight) Nos. Sir.
(b) Whether all such stadiums have been completed ?		(b) Some have been completed.

Animal Farms

Shri T.C. LYNGDOH		Shri M.N. MUKHIM (Minister in-charge, A.H. & Veterinary)
*232. Will the Minister in-charge, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary be pleased to state the number of animal farms, namely Poultry, Piggery, Sheep in the State ?		(a) The number of Animal Farms in the Government Sector namely Poultry, Piggery, Sheep farms in the State at present are as follows :- 1. Poultry farms - 11 Nos. 2. Pig farms - 11 Nos. 3. Sheep farm - 1 Nos.

Fund Released to MTDC

Shri A. L. HEK

Smti. D.C. MARAK
(Minister in-charge, Tourism)

*233. Will the Minister in-charge, tourism be pleased to state the funds released to Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation during the year 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 ?

2001-02	-	Rs.52,35,500/-
2002-03	-	Rs.24.98.600/-
2003-04	-	Rs.32.80.260/-
2004-2005	-	Rs.2,28,55,568/-
(upto 22.3.2005)

RIDF Scheme for construction of New Road

Shri B.G. MOMIN		Shri B.A. SANGMA [Minister in-charge, PWD (Roads)]
*234. Will the Minister in-charge, Public Works be pleased to state :-
(a) Whether an amount of Rs.1,80,000/- (Rupees One lakh eighty thousand) only provided in the PWD budget of 2004-2005 (Sl.2 at page 480 under RIDF scheme for construction of a new road from Bangsiapal to Guresimaram has been fully utilised ?		(a) No. Sir.
(b) If the reply to (a) above is in negative, the reason thereof ?		(b) Due to non-sanction of the estimates.

L. P. Scholl Teachers

Shri E. K. SANGMA		Dr. MUKUL SANGMA (Minister in-charge, Education)
*235. Will the Minister in-charge, Elementary & Mass Education be pleased to state :-		(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) If so, the stand of the Government ?		(b) Untrained teachers are being deputed to attend the regular training courses at different Teacher Training Institutes in the State. To help clear the backlog of untrained teachers, batches of 1245 untrained teachers are being deputed to undergo the 6 months CPE Course being conducted by IGNOU. Teachers are also selected to undergo in service Training being conducted by DERT, DIETs and BRCs under SSA.
(c) The mechanism being used by the Department to monitor the duties and performances to L.P School Teachers ?		(c) The Department has recently filled up all the posts of Sub-Inspectors of Schools, Social Education Organisers and Lady Social Education Organisers to monitor and supervise the performance of L.P. School teachers. In addition BRC's and CRC's constituted under SSA in all the Districts also carry out school inspections.