The House met at 10.00 a.m. with the Hon'ble Speaker in the Chair. The day was devoted for the transaction of Government Business.

QUESTIONS :

Starred Question No. 38 to 45 were disposed of. Starred Question No.46 to 53 could not be taken up due to lack of time.

VOTING ON DEMANDS FOR GRANTS :

Grants No. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 and 15 were passed since there were no cut motions.

Shri R. G. Lyngdoh, Minister in-charge Home moved Grant No. 16.

Shri Manas Chaudhuri moved his cut motion against Grant No. 16. The mover discussed about the police performance that it is far from satisfactory in the sense that the common people cannot meet the top officers whenever the need arises. He observed that the rights of the citizens displayed in the Board before was not there anymore, Forensic Science Laboratory which deals in detection on clues should be pursued doggedly till the crime is solved and not half way. He also mentioned about one candidate No.14921 that he had appeared as the successful candidate. But however, this original list was doctored and his number now appeared in the waiting list. He was of the view that there should be specially trained C. I. D. personnel to give a message to the criminals that they will not get away if they commit any crime.

Shri A.L. Hek spoke about the law and order situation in the State. He also spoke of new faces being seen in the 4th Furlong who came as labourers, and later on will ask for residential certificate from the headman. He requested the Government to check their true identity. In the end, he supported the mover of the cut motion.

Shri J.M. Marak recalled the incidence where nine people were killed. He also mentioned that four persons who were seriously injured in the shooting at Williamnagar and Tura and that the Government had stopped financial assistance to them to go for further treatment. He requested the Government to revive the financial assistance again. He was also against bringing the lawyers from the Supreme Court and, in doing so, a lot of expenditure was incurred. He felt that qualified lawyers in Shillong could be engaged, thus, bringing down the expenditure considerably. Ending his speech, he supported the cut motion.

Shri P. T. Sawkmie- At the outset, he stated that the Police Department should not be seen in the dark side of things but should look at its achievements. However, he agreed that the police personnel of the lower rank should be disciplined. He appreciated the police for bringing the ANVC to the negotiating table resulting in peace and tranquaility in the State. The law and order problem in the border areas should be looked into. Concluding his speech he opposed the cut-motion.

Shri E.K. Sangma: With regard to the recruitment in the Police Department, he stated that there was no transparency at all. To remove any misgivings, he was of the view that the names of the successful candidates should be displayed. He also requested the Government to give financial assistance to the injured persons during the last shooting. Winding up his speech, he thanked the Chair for allowing him to speak and supported the cut-motion.

Shri T. D. Shira : At the outset, he supported the cut motion. He discussed at length on the recruitment procedure, law and order situation in Garo Hills and the ANVC being brought to the negotiation table. There are crimes which are committed by the deserters of this outfit and wanted the police department to contain them.

Shri P. M. Syiem - At the outset, he opposed the cut-motion. He stated that there was severe criticism from the public against the police because they could not contain crimes in the city. He cited an example that a case is supposed to be solved in a day took them a year and the court had to direct the police to complete the investigation. He requested the Government that with regard to the recruitment it should be transparent in all respect so that nobody will have any misgivings. Those appointed constables should be only for six months or one year and, if they are found to be fit can be absorbed. He observed that there is groupism in the department which is a bad taste. The salary of the police force should be enhanced to lure them away from any type of corruption. He also spoke of promotion to efficient police men and frequent transfer should be stopped. He also requested the Government to set up a complaint booth and holidays foregone by the police personnel should be paid. A person who was killed by the Air-force personnel requested the Government to look into. He was also of the view that investigative officers should not attend law and order duty. The Government should provide a vehicle to every police station.

REPLIES OF THE MINISTER IN-CHARGE HOME:

In reply, the Minister informed the House that the police force of the State was the best in the country. He further said that the ex-DGP Mr. Longkumer headed a Committee to find out ways and means on how to improve the relationship between the public and the police. The report had been submitted and the Government is looking into its recommendations and will implement them at the earliest. There is a lot of merit to put a board in every police station displaying about the citizen rights. With regard to bifurcation of investigation staff and the police force, this will be looked into. In connection with the transparency to the recruitment in the police department, this will be looked into. With regard to the points raised by Shri A. L. Hek about the presence of Bangladeshis in the State and 4th Furlong at Polo in particular, the Government used to conduct raids from time to time."

With regard to the points raised by Shri J. M. Marak about the report of the Inquiry Commission, for Williamnagar it will come out sometime in October and for Tura the matter is subjudice. In this case the Government will try its best to expedite the matter. With regard to financial support to the victims, the Government has already sanctioned Rs.35 lakhs for medical expenses. With regard to the lawyer being brought from outside, he stated that this person has got vast experience in matters of administration and that is why, his services is required. In connection with Barbers and Dhobis doing law and order duty, replied that the police force had not yet been rationalized and they are sometime engaged to do law and order duty. In regard to the setting up of a complaint booth, this will be looked into. In connection with the killing of a person by the Air Force personnel, he assured that this will be looked into. He was also inclined that every Police Station should have a vehicle to tend to the crimes being committed by criminals. With regard to the selling of properties in order to bribe the police personnel for getting selected in the interview, wanted evidence and stern action will be taken.

With regard to the list being tampered with, this matter will be looked into and the officer concerned will be disciplined and justice restored.

After adequately replying to the points raised by the participants, the mover withdrew the Cut-Motion with leave of the House and Grant No.16 was passed.

Grants No.17, 18,19 and 20 were passed since there were no cut motions.

Dr. Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister moved Grant No.21.

Shri Manas Chaudhuri moved his cut motion against Grant No.21. Initiating the discussion he informed the House that Shillong has ceased to be the seat of best education. However, there is no denying the fact that people from the Northeast come to Shillong for studies. He stated that only mediocre students comes and there is no attraction for the bright students. He said that the drop out of students from schools is due to the fact that there is no quality teachers. He recalled about the inspection of schools by the inspector but now there has been no more inspections which is regrettable. The ration from 70:1 should be brought down to enable the teachers to concentrate more on the students. The inability of the department to release the salary in time has affected the teachers. He also brought to the notice of the Government that a teacher for Psychology remained vacant for the whole year resulting in the Pine Mount School to do away with subject. With regard to mid-day meal teachers are engaged in the cooking for school students which has affected their teachings. Lastly he requested the Government that the children must be allowed to study in their mother tongue.

Shri H. S. Lyngdoh spoke about the road schemes from Atiabari - Kyrshai - Jirang - Mawdem. With regard to education, he stated that students who knows how to read and write A, B, K, D, E, G, NG only are sent to a higher class.

ADJOURNMENT :

The House rose at 2.00 p.m. and stood adjourned till 10 a.m. on Thursday, the 29th June, 2006.