The House met at 10.00 am on the 25th March, 2008 with the Hon'ble Speaker  in the Chair. The day was devoted for the transaction of Government Business.

1. VOTING ON DEMANDS FOR GRANTS:
   
   The House passed Grant No.1, No.2 & No.3 since there were no cut motions.
   
   Shri Charles Pyngrope moved his cut motion on Demand No. 4. The mover of the cut motion, stated that in spite of the State having come into existence for the last 36 years, some of the villages in his constituency did not have any power till date. He referred West Bengal where previously the load shedding was a common phenomenon, today, it has get surplus power. He was of the opinion that since the Me.S.E.B did not have any fund to provide the whole State with power, it should be given to private parties who does not have any financial problem. He advised the Government to enter into an understanding with private parties who have got the experience and expertise in the matter.
   
   Dr. R. C. Laloo supported the mover of the cut motion because without it, every work will come to a standstill like lectures through Computers, projectors etc.
   
   Smti. A. Lyngdoh opposed the cut motion on the plea that the Congress Government which had been ruling the State for the last 25 years are partly to be blamed for the present power scenario.
   
   Shri Conrad K. Sangma Minister in-charge Power informed the House that the total number of villages in the State is 5782 and out of it, 3428 have already been electrified as on 31.3.2007 and the remaining villages will be taken up in due course under different schemes. He also said that the requirement is 600 MW whereas the availability of power is only 300 MW. However, with the implementation of the Leskha Hydro Power Project, it will add another 140 MW. Under the Seventh Plan, 7 more projects will be taken up in the State.
   
   With regard to the MOU that was signed with the private parties, a Committee had already been set up. The initial report had been received and it will take a month or so to come to a decision. The report from the Chief Secretary is also likely to come up. There is also a master plan for development of Power Sector and the work to connect with the national grid is under process in order to get additional 300 MW for the State.
   
   The cut motion was then withdrawn and Demand No.4 was passed.
   
   Demand No.5, 6, 7 & 8 were passed by the House since there were no cut motions. Demand No.9 was also passed when the mover withdrew his cut motion. Demand No.10 & No. 11 were also passed by the House.
   
   Dr. Phlour W. Khongjee while moving his cut motion on Demand No.12 admitted that most of the PHCs had been non-functional in the State. He contended that the real cause may de due to lack of infrastructure in the PHC. Most of the quarters for the doctors and nurses are in a deplorable condition without electric or water connection. Medicines although available were not adequate enough. The PHCs were not provided with allotted cars or ambulance. There is no common room to hold monthly meetings. He was also of the view that TA/DA should be increased to the touring officers and staff. There were instances that PHCs were inaugurated but doctors have not been posted.
   
   Shri Abdus Saleh supported the cut-motion and was of the view that the Ayurvedic Department should not be set up only in Shillong but in Tura, Williamnagar and Nongstoin as well so that the people can avail of the benefits. With regard to the Post Partum, this facility should be given to every PHC.
   
   Dr. F. Lyngdoh supported the cut motion. He wanted the Department to install a dialysis machine in Civil Hospital.
   
   Shri P. Syiem supported the cut motion and was in line with the mover with regard to the non-functional of PHCs.
   
   Shri M.M. Danggo supported the cut-motion and said that most of the PHCs in the rural areas are non-functional. The PHCs like the Rangthong, Wahkaji and Khonjoi were inaugurated but till date, doctors have not been posted. He was of the opinion that the functions of the PHCs, needs to be revamped.
   
   Shri Ronnie V. Lyngdoh supported the cut-motion and was of the view that before the purchase of any machinery for the hospitals/CHCs/PHCs there should be trained personnel to man the machine.
   
   Dr. D. D. Lapang contended that the immediate solution to the shortage of doctors is to appoint them on contract basis which will have no bearing on the regular doctors of the State. Attractive incentives should be given to those who serve in the rural areas and those who did not serve in the rural areas should not get promotion or be allowed to cross the efficiency bar.
   
   Shri Metbah Lyngdoh opposed the cut motion on the ground that the whole system should be improved and, therefore, there should be a qualitative improvement in this area.
   
   Shri Lahkmen Rymbui supported the cut motion and said that the CHC at Nongtalaing, two doctors were posted and not there is only one doctor.
   
   Shri Ardent Basaiawmoit opposed the cut motion.

   Smti Ampareen Lyngdoh opposed the cut motion.
   
   A point of order was raised by Shri M. M. Danggo under Rule 2 (h) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly that since Smti Ampareen Lyngdoh was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary, she is not supposed to participate in the debate because the post is equivalent to that of the Minister of State.

   Dr. D. D. Lapang, Shri Charles Pyngrope, Shri Prestone Tynsong, Shri F.W.Momin were also of the same view. Shri A. T. Mondal referred to the proceedings of the House of 1998 where the Speaker had refrained the Parliamentary Secretary form participating in the debate.

   Dr. Donkupar Roy, Chief Minister, Shri P. A. Sangma, Shri Adolf Lu Hilter were of the view that she be allowed to participate in the debate.

   The Hon'ble Speaker ruled that he will have to find out the steps followed by other State Assemblies and also of Parliament to arrive at a concrete decision which will take sometime. Therefore, he requested Smti Ampareen Lyngdoh and other Parliamentary Secretaries not to participate in the debate.
   
   Replying to the cut motion, the Health Minister admitted that out of 103 PHCs, some of them were non-functional. Therefore, in order to     enable doctors and nurses to work in the PHCs, living conditions, electric power, water connection etc. will have to be improved.     However, he was not agreeable to the mover of the cut motion that the PHCs were not provided with adequate medicines. He informed that there is enough fund from the National Rural Health Mission to buy medicines. There is also a fund from the Plan and Non-Plan for the purpose. However, the Government will set up a central store and any PHC or CHC who needs medicines can go directly to the store. All CHCs was also  provided with portable X-ray machines. Some of them will be made functional after repair works are done. With regard to the setting up of dialysis, a Nephrologists will be required for the same and the Government will take steps in this regard. In order to make the PHC or CHC functional, there should be better co-ordination between different departments. With regard to 100 bedded in NEIGRIHMS, the matter will be taken up with the Government of India.
   
   The cut motion was withdrawn after the replies by the Minister and Demand No.12 was passed by the House.

   Demand No.13 was passed when the mover of the cut motion withdrew.

   Demand No.14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22,23 & 24 were passed by the House since there were no cut motions.

2. ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE CHAIR:
          
   Under Rule 2 (p) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Dr. D. D. Lapang was recognized as the Leader of Opposition in this House. He also reminded the House of the Biennial Election to the Council of State to be held on the 26th March, 2008 from 9.00 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Conference Hall of the M.L.A Hostel.
    

3. ADJOURNMENT:
   
    The House rose at 12.50 p.m. and will meet again on Thursday, the 27th March, 2008 at 10.00 a.m.