MEGHALAYA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

BUDGET SESSION

STARRED

QUESTION AND ANSWERS

Wednesday, the 6th April, 2005.

 Block Development Offices   

  Shri M.M. SANGMA
 		   Shri B.L. NONGUM
(Parliamentary Secretary)
*236.



 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Community and Rural Development be pleased to state whether Government is aware of the fact that the Gram Sevaks of many Block Development Offices are not staying in their respective Quarters?   Sir, earlier reportedly some Gram Sevaks of Development Blocks were not staying in their respective quarters. The Block Development Officers-in-charge of all the 39 Blocks have been requested to verify and intimate the actual current position for all the Gram Sevaks, in position.

Private Investors

  Shri A.L. HEK
 		   Smti. D.C. MARAK
(Minister in-charge, Tourism)
*237.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Tourism be pleased to state:-    

(a)

 

 Whether tourism promotion subsidy is implemented in the state in order to encourage private investors?   (a) & (b)- No scheme for Tourism Promotion subsidy is in force in the State.

 

(b)

 If so, the details thereon?

(c)



 

 If not, the reason thereof?



 

 

 (c)   While Meghalaya Tourism Policy 2001 does envisage exemption from certain levies and seeks to subsidise investment, maintenance, publicity, interest payment etc. concerning a Tourist Unit, there is no provision for a Tourism Promotion Subsidy therein.

Generation of Revenue

  Shri TONY CURTIS LYNGDOH
 		 Shri M.N. MUKHIM
(Minister in-charge, Soil Conservation)
*238.



 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Soil Conservation be pleased to state whether the Department generates any revenue?

 		   Yes, Sir.



 

Secondary School Building

  Shri EDMUND K. SANGMA
 		   Shri PAUL LYNGDOH
[Minister in-charge, Public Works (Building)]
*239.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Public Works (Building) be pleased to state:-    

(a)

 

 Whether the fund earmarked for construction of Dadenggre Government Secondary School building has been released?



 

 (a) Yes, fund has been released Original Administrative Approval for Rs.42.99 (lakhs), but Revised Estimate has been submitted and is awaiting sanction.

(b)
 

 If so, when will the construction work be resumed by the Contractor?


 

 (b) Balance construction work will be started by the Contractor soon after sanctioning of Revised Estimate.

School under S.S.A. Scheme

  Shri MIHSALAN SUCHIANG
 		   Dr. MUKUL SANGMA
(Minister in-charge, Education)
*240.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Elementary & Mass Education be pleased to state:-    

(a)












 

 The District-wise number of Lower Primary and Upper Primary Schools established with financial assistance from the S.S.A. Scheme?










 





 

 

 

 

 

(a) The District-wise number of Lower Primary and Upper Primary Schools are as follows:-

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05
  LP UP LP UP LP UP
1.East Khasi Hills

116

32

54

60

-

40
2.Ri Bhoi

98

30

60

42

-

30
3.West Khasi Hills

100

50

43

30

-

27
4.Jaintia Hills

70

40

13

50

-

35
5.East Garo Hills

50

60

-

25

-

33
6.West Garo Hills

203

20

-

25

-

35
7.South Garo Hills

30

40

-

19

-

-

Total

667

272

170

251

-

200
       

(b)

 

 The amount given to each such school for payment of salaries of teachers?
 		  

(b) The amount given to each school is Rs.3000/- per month for Primary and Rs.6000/- per month for Upper Primary.

(c)

 

 Whether there is any provisions in the scheme for construction of school buildings of newly-started schools?



 

 (c) Yes, Sir.

 

(d)
 

 The norms for bringing a school under the above scheme?

 

 (d) The norms for bringing the schools under the above scheme are as follows:-
      1) Viable schooless Village.
      2) There should be no school within 1Km.
      3) There should be intake of atleast 40 children.
      4) The teachers in the school should be qualified as per State rules.
      5) NCTE Guidelines should be satisfied as far as the teachers are concerned.

Adventure Tourism

 
  Shri A.L. HEK
 		   Smti. D.C. MARAK
(Minister in-charge, Tourism)
*241.

 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Tourism be pleased to state the initiative the department had taken in order to boost Adventure tourism in the State?   To promote Adventure Tourism, the State Department of Tourism had organised activities like trekking, water sports and parasailing.
       

Supplying of Charcoal
       
  Shri TONY CURTIS LYNGDOH
 		   Dr. MUKUL SANGMA
(Minister in-charge, Forest & Environment)
*242.



 		 Will the Minister in-charge Forest & Environment be pleased to state whether the Department has taken any steps to stop supplying of charcoal to the industries inside and outside the State?   The Government is contemplating legislative measures for controlling the production, transport and storage of charcoal. The draft Bill is being finalised.

 
       

Magisterial Inquiry

 
  Shri EDMUND K. SANGMA
 		   Shri H.D.R. LYNGDOH
(Minister in-charge, Public Health Engineering)
*243.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Public Health Engineering be pleased to state:-    

(a)


 

 Whether it is a fact that the Government has conducted a Magisterial Inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of fund by the PHE officers in Garo Hills during 2004?

(a)


 

 Yes, Sir.


 

(b)
 

 If so, the finding of the Magisterial Inquiry?
 

(b)
 

 As per enquiry report there were some financial irregularities in Simsanggiri PHE and Tura PHE Division.

(c)


 

 Whether step has been initiated by the Government to prevent recurrence of such misappropriations in future?
 

(c)


 

 Necessary steps have been taken by the Government inter alia by constituting District Level Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner to oversee the implementation of PHE
       

Chockpot C.H.C.

 
  Shri M.M. SANGMA
 		   Shri SAYEEDULLAH NONGRUM
(Minister in-charge, Health & Family Welfare)
*244.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Health & Family Welfare be pleased to state:-    

(a)
 

 Whether Chockpot C.H.C. has started functioning?

(a)
 

 No, Sir.
 

(b)
 

 If the answer to (a) above is in the affirmative, how many doctors are working at present?

(b)
 

 Does not arise in view of reply to (a) above.

(c)


 

 Whether the Government is aware of the fact that the above C.H.C. is being occupied by C.R.P.F. personels and thereby doctors working there are facing lots of difficulties?

(c)


 

 Yes, Sir. No complaint has been received from any of the staff working there.

 
       

Trees Plantation

 
       
  Shri TONY CURTIS LYNGDOH
 		   Shri M.N. MUKHIM
(Minister in-charge, Soil Conservation)
*245.

 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Soil Conservation be pleased to state the biggest tree plantation in the State?   Mawpat Afforestation Centre, Sir.

 

Roads vulnerable to monsoon rain

 
  Shri EDMUND K. SANGMA
 		   Shri BRENNING A. SANGMA [Minister in-charge, of Public Works Department (Roads) to reply].
*246.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Public Works (Roads) be pleased to state:-    

(a)
 

 Whether the Government has identified the road portion which are vulnerable to monsoon rain?

(a)

 A statement is placed on the Table of the House, Sir.
 

(b)
 

 If so, the preventive measures/ steps the Government is taking?

(b)

 The action taken are:-
      (i) Construction of protection wall
      (ii) Providing proper drainage system, side drains and cross-drains
      (iii) Protection of the embankment with boulder sausage.
      (iv) Raising the road formation level
      (v) Construction of catch water drain.

Setting up of Telephone Exchange

 
  Shri. M.M. SANGMA
 		   Smti. D.C. MARAK
(Minister in-charge, Communication)
*247.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Communication be pleased to state:-    

(a)

 

 Whether there is any proposal to set up telephone Exchange in and around Chockpot Block Development Head Quarter?

(a)

 

 No, Sir.

 

(b)

 

 If not, the reason thereof?

 

(b)

 

 There is no registered demand on date to install telephone Exchange. However, telecom facilities with wireless connectivity (WLL) are planned.
       

Tourism Projects

 
       
  Shri A.L. HEK
 		   Smti. D.C. MARAK
(Minister in-charge, Tourism)
*248.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Tourism be pleased to state:-    

(a)


 

 How many tourism projects has been privatised till date?

 

(a)


 

Four properties belonging to the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation Limited (MTDC) have been leased out by Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation to private enterpreneurs for running them.

(b)
 

 The amount of revenue the Government earned from such ventures?

(b)
 

 NIL
 
       

SDO Buildings at Chokpot

 
  Shri M.M. SANGMA
 		   Shri H.D.R. LYNGDOH
(Minister in-charge, Public Health Engineering)
*249.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Public Health Engineering be pleased to state:-    

(a)

 

 Whether the Government is proposing to construct the Chokpot Sub-Divisional Office buildings at Chokpot?

(a)

 

 Yes, Sir.

 

(b)

 If so, the present position?

(b)

 The estimate is in the process of sanction.

(c)
 

 Whether land has been acquired for construction of the above buildings?

(c)
 

 The buildings will be constructed on the plot of land already available with the Department.

Drainage & Sanitation Projects

 
  Shri A.L. HEK
 		   Dr. D.D. LAPANG
(Chief Minister)
*250. Will the Chief Minister, be pleased to state:-    

(a)


 

 Whether it is a  fact that the Asian Development Bank will finance for developing major drainage and sanitation projects in Shillong City?
 

(a)


 

 Sir, the Asian Development Bank has agreed in principle to consider financing of urban infrastructure, slum improvement and capacity building works in Shillong, which will also include drainage and sanitation projects.

(b)


 

 If so, the amount sanctioned to Meghalaya and the nodal agency which will execute the work?

 

(b)


 

 The amount to be sanctioned for Shillong will be known only after the investment plan is finalized and the nodal agency for execution of the project will be decided thereafter.

Guidelines for felling of trees

 
  Shri TONY CURTIS LYNGDOH
 		   Dr. MUKUL SANGMA
(Minister in-charge, Forest & Environment)
*251.


 

 

 Will the Minister in-charge Forest & Environment be pleased to state whether the Department has framed the guidelines for felling of trees in the Non-Forest area including Plantation raised thereon as per the directive of the Hon'ble Supreme Court?   The rules have been framed and are being finalised before sending to the Ministry Forest & Environment, Government of India for approval.


 

Collapse of Drainage & Sewerage System

 
  Shri A.L. HEK
 		   Shri H.D.R. LYNGDOH
(Minister in-charge Public Health Engineering)
*252.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Urban Affairs be pleased to state:-    

(a)


 

 Whether the Government is aware of the fact that most of the drainage and sewerage system in Shillong City were damaged and has collapsed?
 		   (a) & (b). Sir a Master Plan is being drawn up for drainage in the city.

 

 

(b)
 

 If so, the action the Government had taken to rectify these problems?  

Minor Industrial Estate

 
Shri TONY CURTIS LYNGDOH
 		 Dr. MUKUL SANGMA
(Minister in-charge, Forest & Environment)
*253.


 

Will the Minister in-charge, Forest & Environment be pleased to state whether the Department has set up Minor Industrial Estate for meeting the local demands of the people?

 No, Sir.


 

National Food for Works Programme

 
Shri M.M. SANGMA

 		 Dr. D.D. LAPANG
(Chief Minister in-charge, Community & Rural Development)
*254.
 		 Will the Minister in-charge, Community & Rural Development be pleased to state:-

(a)

 

 

 The total amount sanctioned for South Garo Hills District under National Food for Works Programme?

 

(a)



 

 Sir, the total amount sanctioned for South Garo Hills District under National Food for Work Programme (NFFWP), during 2004-05 as on 24.03.2005 is Rs.362.46 Lakhs, along with allocation of 3562 metric tonnes of foodgrains.
 

(b)
 

 The types of projects that can be taken up under National Food for Works Programme?

(b)
 

 The works that can be taken up under the NFFWP are as follows, Sir.
(i) Water Conservation.
(ii) Drought proofing/ including afforestation/ tree plantation and Land development.
(iii) Flood control/ protection (including drainage in water logged areas).
(iv) Rural connectivity in terms of all weather roads. Any other similar activities for economic sustainability, keeping in view the areas specific problems can be included provided the principal focus of the programme on water conservation and drought proofing is maintained

(c)

 Whether there is any Guidelines for the scheme?

(c)

 Yes, Sir.