MEGHALAYA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
BUDGET SESSION
UNSTARRED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Monday, the 27th March, 2006
Restriction of load of trucks
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Dr. F. A. KHONGLAM |
Smti. D.C. MARAK |
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5. Will the Minister in- charge, Transport be pleased to state :- |
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(a) Whether the Government has restricted the Load of Trucks? |
(a), (b) & (c). |
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(b) The capacity of Truck? |
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(d) The checking points in Khasi Hills? |
(d) Transport Department check point in Khasi Hills District is at Athiabari in West Khasi Hills. |
Cleaning up of Umiam Lake
|
Shri A. L. HEK |
Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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6. Will the Minister in-charge, Power be pleased to state the initiative the Government had taken in order to clean up the Umiam Lake of which siltation level is very high and the pollution rate of the water is also alarming. |
Sir, A statement is placed on the Table of the House. |
School dropouts
|
Smti. J. R. PHANBUH |
Shri B. K. SANGMA |
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7. Will the Minister in-charge, Education be pleased to state:- |
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(a) The overall percentage of School dropouts in the
State of Meghalaya from Primary to the Secondary level? |
(a) The over-all percentage of dropout rate in the State from Primary level to Secondary level is as follows:- Primary - 41.26% |
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(b) The Rural and Urban ratio of such dropouts? |
(b) The rural and urban ratio is not readily available. |
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(c) Whether the Government has undertaken any study on
the school dropout phenomenon in the State? |
(c) No, Sir However the Government has engaged the Education Department of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) to undertake a comprehensive study of dropout rate in the State. . |
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(d) If so, the findings of such a study and the action taken by the Education Department on the same? |
(d) The Report is expected by March 2007. |
Financial position of the State
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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8. Will the Minister in- charge, Finance be pleased to state:- |
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(a) Whether it is a fact that during the last two
financial years the financial position of the State is 'sound'? |
(a) & (b). However, through its various austerity measures and prudent financial management, the State has been able to manage its finances and avoid any major fiscal dislocation. |
Mawkdok 12 Shnong Road
|
Dr. F. A. KHONGLAM |
Shri BRENNING SANGMA |
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9. Will the Minister in-charge, Public Works (Roads) be pleased to state:- |
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(a) The progress of the Mawkdok 12 Shnong road? |
(a) The work is 100% completed for Mawkdok Khadarshnong road only liabilities are to be cleared due to paucity of fund. |
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(b) Whether Extension to Kongthong & Mawshuit Village will be taken up? |
(b) Yes, Sir, Extension to Kongthong Village will be taken up through PMGSY. Regarding Mawshuit there is no proposal. |
Revenue collected by Power Department
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Shri A. L. HEK |
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Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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10. Will the Minister in- charge, Power be pleased to state how much revenue the department had collected from the State District-wise during the last two years? |
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Sir, the revenue collected by MeSEB from the State
District-wise during the last two years are as follows:- |
|
Year |
East |
West |
Ri- |
Jaintia Hills |
East |
West |
South |
Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2003-04 |
5197.12 |
187.78 |
8657.63 |
502.5 |
183.1 |
737.61 |
18.2 |
15483.94 |
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2004-05 |
5513.69 |
203.93 |
11564.3 |
758.65 |
201.21 |
803.39 |
25.76 |
19070.93 |
|
2005-2006 |
4545.2 |
153.18 |
7215.73 |
1216 |
132.92 |
472.04 |
28.61 |
13763.68 |
Income generating activities of Horticulture
|
Smti J. R. PHANBUH |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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11. Will the Minister in- charge, Horticulture be pleased to state:- |
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(a) Whether Horticulture has been identified as one of the most potent Income Generating Activities that is expected to raise the livelihood level of Rural Agriculturalists? |
(a) Yes, Sir. |
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(b) If so, whether the Government agree that there is urgent need to take steps to process, add value and to market such products? |
(b) Yes, Sir. |
Permission for operation of Business
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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12. Will the Minister in- charge, Finance be pleased to state:- |
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(a) Whether private financial Institutions like ICICI, HDFC, UTI have to get permission from the State Government before they operate business in the State? |
(a), (b) & (c) |
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(b) If not, the reason thereof? |
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(c) If so, the conditions put forward by the Government for mandatory investment by these Institutions in the economy of the State? |
Land compensation at Domiasiat
|
Dr. F. A. KHONGLAM |
Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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13. Will the Minister in- charge, Revenue be pleased to state:- |
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(a) Whether land compensation is being paid by the
State Government of District Council? |
(a) As per the Land Acquisition Act 1894, the land can be acquired only by the State Government and the compensation due is paid through the collector. No land can be acquired by District Council or Compensation paid by them under the aforesaid Act. |
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(b) Area of land acquired by U.C.I.L. at Domiasiat and its surroundings? |
(b) No land Acquisition proposal for acquisition of land for U.C.I.L. at Domiasiat has been received by State Government. |
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(c) Whether no Objection Certificate has been obtained by the Revenue Department from K.H.A.D.C. & State Government? |
(c), (d) & (e). |
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(d) If so, when? |
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(e) the amount of compensation? |
Total outstanding revenue of Power Department
|
Shri A. L. HEK |
Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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14. Will the Minister in- charge, Power be pleased to
state the total outstanding revenue due from different departments
including State and Central Government? |
Sir, the total outstanding dues from different
departments as on 31.01.2006 is: |
Improvement of Red Cross facilities
|
Smti J. R. PHANBUH |
Shri SAYEEDULLAH NONGRUM |
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15. Will the Minister in- charge, Health be pleased to state:- |
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(a) The steps initiated by the Government to improve
the Red Cross facilities situated at Laban? |
(a) Sir, the Government is extending support by way of financial assistance in the form of Grant-in-Aid and by deputing a Medical Officer and a team of Para Medical Staff. |
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(b) Whether the Government is aware of the fact that
encroachment on the Red Cross land located at Laban has been reported from
time to time? |
(b) The land is leased to Red Cross Society by the Government. There is no report of any encroachment. If there is a case of encroachment, the Red Cross authority is expected to take up with the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) for eviction. |
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(c) If so, the steps that have been taken to rectify this flaw? |
(c) Does not arise in view of (b) above. |
Overall development of the State
|
Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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16. Will the Minister in- charge, Finance be pleased to state:- |
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(a) Whether it is a fact that money generated from tax will be used for the overall development of the State? |
(a) Yes, Sir. |
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(b) If not, the reason thereof? |
(b) Does not arise in view of (a) above. |
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(c) If so, the sectors where the money generated from
taxes of 2005-2006 have been used? |
(c) The money generated from taxes constitutes one of the main resources of State's own revenue. The money is generally spent in the overall activities of various sectors including Social Sector, Health Sector, Education Sector etc. However, the utilisation of this revenue could not be specifically categorised into different sectors. |
Construction of Assembly House
|
Dr. F. A. KHONGLAM |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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17. Will the Chief Minister be pleased to state:- |
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(a) Whether the High Powered Committee has finalised the site for construction of Assembly House at Shillong? |
(a) Yes, Sir. |
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(b) If so, where? |
(b) At Upper Shillong, Sir. |
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(c) When the Construction will begin? |
(c) Sir, as soon as the "No Objection Certificate" is received from the Defence Ministry and other formalities are completed. |
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(d) The area & location? |
(d) Sir, the total area is 58.61 Hectares and is located at Upper Shillong near the diversion from the National Highway to Shillong Peak. |
Distance between a Wine Store and Educational or Religious Institution
|
Shri A. L. HEK |
Shri BRENNING A. SANGMA |
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18. Will the Minister in-charge, Excise be pleased to state the actual distance of a Wine Store/Bar from an Educational or Religious Institution? |
Sir, no specific distance as per Excise Law. Provision of the Rules is that the Wine Store/Bar should, as far as possible be at a reasonable distance from the Educational or Religious Institution. |
Enhancement of horticultural potentials
|
Smti J. R. PHANBUH |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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19. Will the Minister in-charge, Horticulture be pleased to state:- |
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(a) Whether it is a fact that Bhutan has offered assistance to Meghalaya to enhance its Horticultural potentials by sending a team of officers to come to Meghalaya to interact on this issue? |
(a) Sir, there was a proposal from the Government of Bhutan for collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya, in cultivation, processing and marketing of agricultural and horticultural products, etc. |
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(b) The reason why Government has taken more than one year to respond to this offer? |
(b) The matter required processing by different Departments and Directorates. |
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(c) The reason why a decision not to extend a formal invitation to the Bhutanese team was decided upon? |
(c) Since the proposal emanated from the Government of Bhutan, extending of formal invitation did not appear necessary. |
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(d) Whether it is a fact that Government wish to affirm that it does not need the assistance of any agency in processing and marketing its horticultural products? |
(d) No, Sir. |
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(e) If so, how this decision was arrived at? |
(e) Does not arise in view of (d) above. |
Undernourishment in the State
|
Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri M. N. MUKHIM |
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20. Will the Minister in-charge, Social Welfare be pleased to state:- |
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(a) The percentage of under-nourished children in the
State? |
(a) So far as Social Welfare Department is concerned, the percentage of under-nourished children in the 32 C & RD Blocks under ICDS Scheme is 39.04%. |
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(b) The steps that Government has taken to improve
nourishment in the State? |
(b) To improve the under-nourished children, supply of conventional food-stuff, i.e. Bengal gram, groundnut, soyabean, dried peas, suji, rice flakes, green peas, sugar and iodised salt are being distributed to the beneficiaries of ICDS Scheme, viz, for children 3-6 years and pregnant/lactating mothers and adolescent girls. In addition, Government has also distributed milk powder fortified with minerals and vitamins to meet the required calories and protein content of the above beneficiaries. Similarly, RTE (Ready to Eat) food are being supplied to children below 3 years. The feeding programme is 25 days in a month, i.e. 300 days in a year. |
Water shortage at Golflinks and adjoining areas
|
Shri A. L. HEK |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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21. Will the Minister in-charge, Public Health Engineering be pleased to state what measures the department had taken to solve the problem of water shortage at Golflinks, Pynthorbah, Lumshyiap and Nongmynsong? |
Sir, the Public Health Engineering Department has taken up a number of measures to ease the water shortage in these areas through implementation of the following :- |
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(i)Improvement of Pynthorumkhrah Water Supply Scheme. |
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(ii)Improvement of Pynthorbah-Lumshyiap Water Supply Scheme and |
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(iii)Improvement of Nongmynsong Water Supply Scheme. |
Government Schools in the State
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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22. Will the Minister in- charge, Education be pleased to state:- |
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(a) The qualification required for Headmasters/Headmistress to run the Government Schools? |
(a) Sir, the minimum qualification required is Graduate for Secondary School/Higher Secondary Schools and P.U/HSSLC/ Class XII passed for L.P. and U.P. Schools. |
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(b) The number of Government Schools in the State?
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(b) |
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(i) Higher Secondary Schools - 18 Nos. |
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(ii) Secondary Schools - 3 Nos. |
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(iii) Special Category Schools - 4 Nos. |
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(iv) U. P. Schools - 56 Nos. |
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(v) L.P. Schools - 2539 Nos. |
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(c) The qualifications of the present Headmasters/ Headmistress in the Government run schools of the State? |
(c) The information is being collected. |
Water shortage at Bishnupur, Kench's Trace and Rilbong
|
Shri A. L. HEK |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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23. Will the Minister in-charge, Public Health
Engineering be pleased to state why there is acute water shortage at
Bishnupur, Kench's Trace, Rilbong area? |
Sir, there is no acute shortage of water at Bishnupur, Kench's Trace and Rilbong area. Daily water supply is maintained in these areas by both Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). Complaint of water scarcity received by PHE Department in some areas is being addressed. |
Criteria for Admission in Nursery classes
|
Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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24. Will the Minister in- charge, Education be pleased to state:- |
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(a) The criteria provided by the Government for admission in the Nursery class in the Government run Schools? |
(a) Sir, there is no Nursery class in the Government run Schools. Admission starts from K.G. and the criteria is as follows:- |
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(1) Age - 5 years plus and less than 6 years. |
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(2) Studying in other Nursery Schools. |
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(3) Personal Interview on:- |
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(a) Lexical order. |
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(b) Numerical order. |
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(c) Personality |
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(d) Cleanliness |
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(e) Recognition of picture |
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10 marks is allotted for each category Cleanliness is given by Grade. |
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(b) Whether the quality of education has improved with the present system of admission into the Nursery classes? |
(b) Impact on improvement of quality of Education is yet to be studied? |
Construction of Sub-Divisional office
|
Shri A. L. HEK |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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25. Will the Minister in-charge, Public Health Engineering be pleased to state? |
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(a) Whether the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme Sub-Divisional office at Shillong has been constructed or not? |
(a) & (b). |
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(b) If not, why? |
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(c) If so, the location and strength of the staff? |
(c) Does not arise in view of the reply to points (a) & (b) above. |
Dewlieh Horticulture Farm
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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26. Will the Minister in-charge, Horticulture be pleased to state the revenue that Dewlieh Horticulture Farm had generated so far? |
Sir, the amount of revenue generated from Dewlieh Farm is Rs.23,57,553.00, since the time is actively generated revenue. |
Metalling of the approach road at Upper Lumshyiap
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Shri A. L. HEK |
Shri BRENNING A. SANGMA |
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27. Will the Minister in-charge, Public Works (R) be pleased to state the steps the Government had taken for metalling the approach road leading to the major graveyards at Upper Lumshyiap, Golflinks adjacent to Bellefonte? |
An estimate amounting to Rs.18,04,000.00 (Rupees eighteen lakhs four thousand) only, has been framed by the Executive Engineer, N.H. Shillong Bye-Pass Division which is not provided for in the Budget. |
Devastation by Forest Fires
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Dr. FRIDAY LYNGDOH |
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28. Will the Minister in-charge, Forest be pleased to state:- |
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(a) The amount in terms of money/area lost every year due to fire in forest areas? |
(a) Information is being collected, Sir. |
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(b) The steps the Government has taken to control damage of forests due to fire? |
(b) The steps taken to prevent and control fires include fireline cutting, close watch through fire watchers and extinguisher ground fire through deployment of manpower. |
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(c) The area of forest land lost during 2004, 2005-06? |
(c) Nil. |
Election Identity card
|
Shri A. L. HEK |
Dr. DONKUPAR ROY |
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29. Will the Minister in- charge, Election be pleased to state whether physically handicapped persons have to appear in person to be photographed for their election Identity Card? |
Yes Sir, and with the help of a companion, if necessary, as in the case of voting in elections. |
Registration of Crimes, Thefts and Car Lifting
|
Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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30. Will the Minister in-charge, Home (Police) be pleased to state? |
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(a) The number of crimes, thefts and car lifting registered in all police stations within East and West Khasi Hills during 2005 upto February, 2006? |
(a) Sir, during 2005 upto February, 2006. |
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(i)Nos. of crime cases registered in |
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(ii)Total number of theft in |
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(iii)Total number of cases of car lifting in |
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(b) Out of the total registered cases, the number
solved by the Police Department? |
(b) Out of 963 cases registered in East Khasi Hills District 99 cases has been fully solved and out of 201 cases registered in West Khasi Hills District 50 cases has been charge sheeted. |
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(c) If not, the reasons thereof? |
(c) The 768 cases pending under East Khasi Hills District and 113 cases pending under West Khasi Hills District are under investigation. |
Traffic Violation
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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31. Will the Minister in-charge, Home (Police) be pleased to state? |
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(a) The number of cases of traffic violation registered within the Shillong City, Tura and Jowai towns during 2005 and upto February, 2006? |
(a) The number of cases registered are:- |
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(i) Shillong City - 8882 during 2005 and 928 upto February, 2006. |
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(ii) Tura town - 952 during 2005 and 32 upto February, 2006. |
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(iii) Jowai town - 1141 during 2005 and 171 upto February, 2006. |
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Total - Rs.10,975 during 2005 and 1131 upto February, 2006. |
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(b) The amount collected from traffic violators during the above period as imposed by the Police Department? |
(b) The amount collected during the above period are :- |
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(i) Shillong City - Rs.14,11,365/- during 2005 and Rs.1,44,350/- upto February, 2006. |
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(ii) Tura town - Rs.2,41,100/- during 2005 and Rs.9,850/- upto February, 2005. |
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(iii) Jowai town - Rs.7,18,000/- during 2005 and Rs.2,80,000/-upto February, 2006. |
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Total amount collected- |
Payment of Electric Bill
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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32. Will the Minister in-charge, Public Health Engineering be pleased to state? |
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(a) The amount of electric bill the Government had to pay every month due to the pumping of Greater Shillong Water Supply Schemes? |
(a) Sir, the average amount of Electricity Bill is
Rs.46.66 lakhs per month. |
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(b) Whether the Department has any order/proposal to cut down the electric consumption by the G.S.W.S.S.? |
(b) No, Sir. |
Percentage of Anaemic Patients
|
Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri SAYEEDULLAH NONGRUM |
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33. Will the Minister in-charge, Health & Family Welfare be pleased to state:_ |
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(a) The percentage of Anaemic patients in the State? |
(a) No specific survey to cover the State's population suffering from anaemic has been carried out, Sir. |
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(b) The steps the Government has adopted to prevent the rise of Anaemic patients in the State? |
(b) The steps taken by the Government to prevent the rise of Anaemic patients, especially, women in the State are as follows:- |
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(i) Free distribution of Iron & Folic Acid tablets through various Health Government Institutions. |
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(ii) De-worming. |
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(iii) Health Awareness Programmes to the parents. |
Officer of Meghalaya House
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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34. Will the Minister in-charge, General Administration be pleased to state:- |
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(a) The rank that the in-charge of Meghalaya House in
various States, hold ? |
(a) Principal Resident Commissioner. |
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| (b) Their roles in discharging their duties ? |
(b) Principal Resident Commissioner.
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(c) Trade Adviser & Director of Movements.
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(d) Officer on Special Duty.
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(e) Care Taker.
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Staff Stationed in Meghalaya Houses
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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35. Will the Minister in-charge, General Administration be pleased to state the number of Staff stationed in the Meghalaya Houses at Kolkata and Gauhati and their duties? |
Sir, 69 Nos. in Meghalaya House, Kolkata and 22 Nos. in Meghalaya House, Guwahati. Their duties are to look after various works as assigned to them from time to time and as laid down in various manuals and office orders. |
Maintenance of Meghalaya House, Kolkata
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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36. Will the Minister in-charge, General Administration be pleased to state:- |
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(a) The amount spent for the maintenance and running of
the Meghalaya House Kolkata in 2004-05 and 2005 -06? |
(a) Sir, the amount spent for :- |
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(b) The area of maintenance spent mostly during the said period from the total amount spent? |
(b) Sir, under Motor Vehicle. |
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(c) The amount of T.A. claimed and drawn by the Staff
of Meghalaya House Kolkata? |
(c) Sir, the amount for:- |
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(d) Out of the total T.A. claimed and drawn the name of the personnel who drew the highest amount? |
(d) Sir, Shri B. Lyngdoh. |
Meghalaya House at Mumbai
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Shri P. M. SYIEM |
Shri H. D. R. LYNGDOH |
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37. Will the Minister in-charge, General Administration be pleased to state? |
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(a) Whether it is a fact that the Government proposes to construct a Meghalaya House at Mumbai? |
(a) Yes, Sir. |
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(b) If so, where and when? |
(b) Sir, at Vashi, Navi, Mumbai, the construction has started from this month. |