MEGHALAYA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

BUDGET SESSION 2005

BULLETIN NO 5

(TUESDAY, THE 17^th MARCH, 2005)

                          The House met at 10 a.m. with the Hon'ble speaker in the Chair. The day was devoted for the transaction of Private Members' Business.

1.    QUESTIONS :

                Starred question Nos.45,46,47,48 with Supplementaries thereto and Nos. 49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56 and 57 without any supplementary, were disposed of.

2.        HALF AN HOUR DISCUSSION :

                 Under Rules 49(1) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Shri. B.G. Momin, raised a Half-an-Hour Discussion on matter arising out of the reply to Starred question No.2 dated 14th March, 2005.
                 Quoting detailed figures of allocation of funds Under Constitution of Roads Scheme for the year 2003-2004 for all the districts of the State, the Hon. mover called for a categorical Statement from the Minister incharge of P.W.D. (Roads) as to the reason why East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills Districts were left out and no allocation of funds have been made for these two districts inspite of the prescribed norms laid down by the Government from time to time.
                   Shri. E.K. Sangma took part and supported the points raised by the mover and suggested that with the implementation of the roads Scheme no Assembly segment of the State should be left uncovered and that a provision should be made in the budget for the construction of Road net work in the State.
                   Shri. Manas Chaudhuri, participated. The hon. Member from Mawprem was of the opinion that the points raised by the mover should be attended with all seriousness by the concerned department and effort should be made to see that no section of the people should feel that they are alienated.
                    Replying to the half-an-hour discussion, Shri. Brening A. Sangma, Minister incharge P.W.D. (Roads) apprised that in view of the huge bank of sanction and inadequate allocation of fund, no physical target was fixed Division wise. But however, he added that during 2003-2004, a total road length of 216.82 Kms of new road construction was taken up and that 58 Kms have been covered.
                    The Minister incharge stated that new road construction have not been taken up during the year 2003-2004 under East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills Districts though only two estimates for new road construction under East Garo Hills namely (1) Constuction of road from Police Reserve to 13th Km. of Rongrenggiri - Simsanggiri - Nokra - 3 Km under RIDF-VIII amounting to Rs.47.05 lakh was sanctioned on 29-03-2004 towards the fag and of financial year, 2003-04 and as such, the work could not be taken up during the financial year 2003-2004 and that as a result of which the expenditure and achievement for new road construction in this regard, have been shown as nil for both the two districts.
                    The Minister incharge further presented detailed break-up of Roads Scheme for the year 2003-2004 district wise including the total road length in the Meghalaya P.W.D. as on 31-03-2004 and he assured that a corrected reply will be placed on the table of the House.

3.    PENDING MOTION :   

                    Monindra Rava, continued his deliberation on the pending motion.
                    "This House do now discuss the importance on the review the Reservation Policy in the State".
                     Quoting statistical figures of the no. of employees community wise in many department, the hon. Member, observed that the Garos and other tribes fall short of the quota since the last thirty three years and hence he did not see any logic in the demand by some organisations to raise the reserved quota for the Khasis and Jaintias. He requested the members from both sides not to make any sentimental issue which may create misunderstanding for the other communities in the State.
                     Shri. T.N. Marak, Shri. T.D. Shira. Shri. B.G. Momin, Shri. Predickson G. Momin, Shri Manas Chaudhuri, Shri. Mihsalan Suchiang, Shri. P.M. Syiem, Shri. Zenith M. Sangma and Shri. K.K. Dkhar participated.
                      Shri. Sing Mulieh and Shri. D.P.Iangjuh also took part and supported the motion whereas Shri. John Manner Marak and Shri. E.K. Sangma opposed the motion.
                        Since  the time was up, Shri E.K. Sangma's deliberation remain inconclusive, he may continue on the next day.    

4.    ADJOURNMENT :

                      The House rose at 2 P.M. and stood adjourned till 10 a.m. on Friday, the 18th March, 2005.