The speech delivered by, Dr. Mukul, CM on the Independence Day 2017 Celebration in Shillong

 

 

Shillong, August 15:  “My dear fellow citizens, 1.  On this auspicious occasion of the 71st Independence Day, I extend my heartiest greetings to the people of Meghalaya. This is a proud occasion for us, a time when we celebrate our freedom as an independent nation, freedom which has been achieved after a long period of struggle and sacrifice of countless men and women. This is also a solemn occasion when we, the people of Meghalaya, remember and recollect with gratitude the contribution of the great sons and daughters of India like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhai Patel and many others who provided the leadership to liberate the country from foreign rule. We also remember and recollect with a strong sense of pride, the personal contributions by the patriots of our own State- U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nangbah, Pa Togan Sangma and others for their selfless sacrifice in the struggle against colonial rule. While honouring our freedom fighters, let us imbibe their spirit, by re-dedicating ourselves to the service of our State and our Nation.

2.  Great nations can be built only with the contribution and hard work of one and all. Violence in any form undermines its progress. Whatever the problem, whatever the reason or provocation, there is no place for violence in our society. There is no issue that does not lend itself to solution through dialogue. The path of peace and reconciliation can be difficult, but we must persist, as this alone will enable our State and our Nation to develop and progress. I earnestly appeal to all citizens of the State to hold on steadfastly to the democratic values as we proceed on our journey towards development and progress.

3. The law and order situation in the State is, by and large, peaceful. All national days are being observed peacefully with due decorum. All festivals are being celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety. However, the matter relating to railway construction works between Tetelia and Byrnihat was objected by some NGOs, which had affected the law and order situation, especially in the Ri Bhoi District. Government has taken all necessary steps to tackle the situation and to maintain law and order at any cost.

4.  The overall internal security scenario in the State has improved with the launching of successful counter insurgency operations against the militant and terrorist groups by the State Police and Central Paramilitary Forces. The anti national elements have suffered serious setbacks leading to large scale arrests, surrender of militants as well as recovery of huge cache of arms and ammunitions. Attempts to float a new militant outfit by some misguided youth were foiled in successful operations by the Police. Adequately trained bomb disposal and police dog squads have been deployed in the Garo Hills region and they have provided valuable service in containing militancy. The State Police is keeping a close watch on trans-border movement of terrorists from the neighbouring country and have taken up the issue with the Government of India. In the eastern region, the activities of all anti national organisations have been effectively contained by the State Police.

5.  The disputed pockets along the Assam-Meghalaya border are being monitored continuously. Efforts are on to resolve these disputes at the highest level of both the States. A meeting at the level of Chief Ministers was held recently on 1st April 2017 at Guwahati and further meetings at the level of Chief Secretaries shall take place shortly. The administrations at the district and local levels have, on several occasions, actively resolved problems and diffused situations in the disputed areas along the border. The State Government is committed to complete the remaining fencing on the international border with Bangladesh at a fast pace to effectively, besides other measures, contain illegal migration of foreign nationals and trans-border movement of militants and anti-social elements.

6.  The process of implementing new initiatives to contain influx and illegal migration is moving forward positively. The two Acts passed by the State Legislative Assembly, the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 and the Meghalaya Benami Transaction Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2016 will be implemented soon. The Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Rules, 2017 have already been notified. The setting up of facilitation centres at various entry and exit points on the identified locations, which will also facilitate checking the entry of suspicious persons including illegal migrants into the State, is moving forward in the right direction.

7.  Crimes against women and children have become a matter of concern and the State Government has taken several steps including preventive measures to deal with this problem. Women Police Stations have been established in 7(seven) Districts and the creation of Women Police Stations in the remaining 4 (four) Districts is under consideration of the Government. Crimes against women are being investigated by women police officers. Police officers at all levels are being sensitized through training programmes and workshops on sensitive handling of crimes against women and children. A women helpline on 24×7 basis has been set up at the Directorate of Social Welfare. To bring Police administration closer to the people, the State is establishing 18(eighteen) new Police Stations, out of which 8(eight) new Police Stations viz.  Mawngap PS in East Khasi Hills District, Kharkutta PS and Chiading PS in North Garo Hills District, Nartiang PS in West Jaintia Hills District, Salmanpara PS in South West Garo Hills District, Hallidayganj PS and Jengjal PS in West Garo Hills District and Nonghyllam in South West Khasi Hills have been inaugurated. The remaining 10 (ten) new Police Stations will be inaugurated shortly. These are Diengpasoh PS in East Khasi Hills District, Umsohlait PS in Ri-Bhoi District, Mawshynrut PS in West Khasi Hills District, Lumshnong PS in East Jaintia Hills District, Damal Asim PS in West Garo Hills District, Damalgre PS in South West Garo Hills District and Gasuapara PS, Siju PS, Silkigre PS and Sangkhinigre PS in South Garo Hills District.

8.  For convenience of the public and in order to provide better civil administration, the State Government has notified 4 new Sub-Divisions viz. (1) Pynursla Civil Sub- Division in East Khasi Hills District (2) Chokpot Civil Sub-Division in South Garo Hills District (3) Raksamgre Civil Sub-Division in West Garo Hills District and (4) Mawshynrut Civil Sub- Division in West Khasi Hills District. A new Administrative Unit at Ranikor in South West Khasi Hills District was inaugurated recently and another new Administrative Unit at Rongjeng in East Garo Hills district will be notified soon. To bring development administration closer to the people, 7 (seven) new Community & Rural Development (C & RD) Blocks – Mawlai, Mawpat and Sohiong in East Khasi Hills, Bhoirymbong in Ri Bhoi, Demdema in West Garo Hills, Damalgre in South West Garo Hills and Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills districts have been recently notified.

9.  The Plan and Non-Plan Budget has been merged from 2017-18. Against the total budgetary outlay of Rs. 13,048 crores, an amount of Rs. 6,969 crores has been earmarked for development works.  In the last 7 (seven) years, the Government has scaled up investments in critical infrastructure and social sectors as well as in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. The Government has also prioritised allocation of fund for the matching State share to avail maximum number of Central Sponsored Schemes (CSS).

10.  Agriculture is the key to rural prosperity and the focus of the Government is to increase the production and productivity of food grains through better cultivation techniques to ensure food security. The last decade of agriculture development in the State has resulted in crop diversification, increased acreage and productivity under commercial and cash crops and a clear shift towards producing for market rather than for one’s own consumption. The results on the crop outputs have been promising. In this respect, the latest technical know-how through various schemes such as State Rice Mission (SRM), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and other State schemes have been put into place and efforts are on to bring fallow lands under winter crops to augment the income of the farmers. A new initiative to enable and facilitate access to remunerative and sustainable markets for farmers produce in the most transparent, efficient and effective manner, through the implementation and operation of a logistics and extension facilitation service to be called the Integrated Technology Enables Agri-Management System (iTEAMS) is being initiated by the State Govt. under the Agri-Horti Mission of the Agriculture Department in convergence with the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA). While the 108 service is an emergency service that saves lives, the iTEAMS is going to be a similar service that will provide logistics and extension services to save the livelihoods of the farmers and this is the first of its kind farmer empowerment initiative in the entire country.

11.  The Mission Organic of the Government continues to focus on organic farming and help the farmers to tap the growing organic market. The State has also brought an additional 7000 hectares under organic cultivation with the assistance of central schemes like the Mission Organic Value Chain Development NER (MOVCD – NER) and the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). The aim of the Government is to position Meghalaya as a major player in the national organic market. Meghalaya produces excellent high-altitude tea under the brand MEG TEA which has been certified organic and which has gained wide acceptance amongst numerous tea connoisseurs both within and outside Meghalaya and has been attracting buyers from across the country and the globe. It has also been observed that MEG TEA is fast becoming popular with tourists coming to Meghalaya as souvenirs and gifts. A shipment of MEG TEA was also sent to the Indian Embassy in Brussels on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga to spread awareness of the brand in Belgium.

12.  Education is a vital tool in the contemporary world for success and the Government is determined to impart education to the students which is focused on quality inputs and positive outcomes. In the higher and technical education sector, the Government is in the process of reforming the system by adopting more viable and sustainable partnerships in College education. To encourage working hand in hand with the stakeholders, the Government is in the process of upgrading some aided colleges into Community Colleges with autonomous mode of functionality. For added emphasis in science and commerce streams, Science and Commerce Colleges under Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) at Mawphlang in East Khasi Hills District and at Mahendraganj in South West Garo Hills District have been sanctioned. To delink the higher secondary section from the Colleges, new additional facilities are being created in the Government colleges. Under the Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), all the NAAC accredited general colleges in the State which have submitted the Infrastructure Development Plans (IDP) have been given funding to improve infrastructure and upgrade faculty. Sanction has been accorded for setting up the Shillong Engineering College and the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tura. The Government also plans to commence operationalization of the Williamson Sangma Technical University from the next academic session in a temporary campus at Tura and the infrastructure to house the permanent campus for the same has been sanctioned.  Enhanced infrastructure for Sohra and Kiang Nangbah Government College will be provided through RUSA funding. One new B. Ed college at Jowai would be made functional soon and up-gradation of the College of Teacher Education at Tura has been taken up.

13.    To improve the enrolment rate in schools and arrest the dropout rates, many interventions have been initiated under the SSA programme to make classroom teaching more interesting. The ‘Supporting Human Capital Development Project’ has progressed well with infrastructural works progressing at a rapid pace while the bidding process for teachers training has been finalized. Bidding process for smart classrooms and supply of furniture has also been initiated and would be concluded soon. 117 aided schools would benefit directly from this project. 20 (twenty) RMS schools had been set up till 2015-16 which has now increased to 64 (sixty-four) in the current year. The infrastructure work of Residential Schools in 20 (twenty) Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) in the State is in progress. The work for the Pine Mount International School will start soon. In addition, the Government has initiated construction of 3 (three) rural hostels for students from the far-flung areas to enable them to pursue their studies at Tura, Jowai and Nongstoin. Once these hostels become functional, they will be available to the students seeking accommodation in these towns. To improve the quality of education, the Government has introduced pre-service teachers training under DIETs and support to trainees with a monthly stipend of Rs. 5000 (Five thousand) per month. The Basic Training Centre at Shillong would be converted into a Teachers Training Institution.

14.   The State Government is giving priority to promotion of health care by strengthening and upgrading the existing health care facilities through the National Health Mission (NHM). Efforts are being made to ensure effective healthcare through a range of interventions at individual, household, community and, most critically, at the health system levels. The main programmatic components include Health System Strengthening, Reproductive – Maternal – Neonatal – Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), and control of Communicable & Non-Communicable Diseases. Operational integration between various vertical programmes within the health sector, and between health and other related sectors such as drinking water, sanitation and nutrition has been made both in rural and urban areas so as to achieve universal access to equitable, affordable and quality health care services that are accountable and responsive to people’s needs. Concerted efforts are being taken to implement the third phase of the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS III). This pioneering health insurance scheme designed by our State Government would now provide health insurance for every family upto a sum of Rs. 2,80,000 per family with additional amount of Rs. 30,000 for senior citizens. The New India Assurance Company Ltd. has been approved as the insurer to implement MHIS III. Enrolment under MHIS III has started in June 2017 and will continue until September 2017. Further, a new Medical College will be established at Tura, West Garo Hills District at the estimated cost of Rs. 189 crores. An amount of Rs 51.00 crores has already been received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as Grant- in- Aid for establishment of the new Medical College.

15.   A special thrust has been given by the State Government to upgrade the road infrastructure in the State with special emphasis on rural roads and last mile connectivity. During the last few years, substantial allocation of fund has been made and sanctions have been given to improve and upgrade the major district roads and the state highways by aggregating the fund under Special Plan Assistance and Special Central Assistance. Both, up-gradation and new constructions of rural roads have been given priority to connect remote villages and habitations with all weather road connectivity. Under the State Plan programmes, during 2016-2017, 88 kms of new roads have been constructed; 164 kms of Kutcha road have been blacktopped and 1010 running metres of timber bridges have been converted to permanent RCC bridges. To scale up the investment under PMGSY and thereby accelerate rural road connectivity, the Rural Roads Project-II (RRP-II) has been initiated with World Bank funding. Under this Project, 290 projects with road length of 1112 kms have been taken up connecting 419 habitations during the last 5 years. Special Accelerated Roads Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE) has been initiated by Government of India in 2005 as a response to the collective request of the North Eastern States. Under this programme (i) all the North East state capitals are to be connected with the East-West Corridor through two or four lane roads; (ii) all the district capitals are to be connected with two lane road with paved shoulder; (iii) all the strategic and border roads are to be taken up for upgradation; and (iv) all international trade routes are to be upgraded. The four laning of Jorabat-Umiam road has been taken up under this programme, which will be fully operational with the completion of Umsning Bye-Pass. The Shillong-Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura road is also on the verge of completion. Further, 3 (three) road projects – Ranikor to Baghmara; Chaygaon to Nongstoin; and Nongstion to Ranikor via Rilang river have been approved in 2011 under SARDP-NE. The project implementation will commence once the land acquisition process is completed. Other projects approved under SARDP-NE include a road length of 727 kms. under state roads and strategic roads category and 420 kms. under NH category. In addition, Japanese Investment Corporation Agency (JICA) funding has been approved to further accelerate upgradation of national highways in the State. Works on NH-62 connecting Dudnoi (Assam) with Baghmara and Dalu with a length of 195 kms funded by JICA will commence once the DPR and Land acquisition proposal is approved. Other national highways being taken up are Shillong – Dawki (NH – 40) for a road length of 71.5 kms and Tura – Dalu (NH-51) for a road length of 54 kms. Under NHDP III, Shillong-Jowai-Ratacherra road (NH-44) has been taken up for upgradation for a road length of 104 kms. Another major project in the North East is the NH-127 (B) connecting Srirampur via Dhubri, Phulbari, and Rongram to Nongstoin including a bridge over Brahmaputra with total road length of 401 kms, which will reduce the travel time from Meghalaya to the rest of the country.

16.  Traffic congestion in the state capital, Shillong, has been a major challenge. Completion of Shillong Bye-pass has given some relief. The Mawlai Bye-pass, taken up to ease traffic congestion, is expected to be completed soon. With increase footfall of tourists, a new alternative route is being created as Shillong-Western Bye-pass connecting Umiam to Nongkrem via Mawlyndep, Mawmih, Ladmawreng, Mylliem. This will enable the tourist traffic to visit destinations in Sohra, Mawsynram, Mawlynnong, Dawki, Nongkrem, Laitlum, Mawphanlur, Nongkhnum etc. without having to travel through Shillong. The initiative to widen and upgrade the road to New Shillong is also under process.

17.  Meghalaya is blessed with naturally endowed minerals and other natural resources. The State has deposits of coal, limestone, uranium, granite, kaolin, clay and sand glass. The embargo imposed by the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal on unregulated mining in the State has adversely impacted the livelihood of about 5000 miners and thousands more who are directly or indirectly dependent on coal mining activities. The State Government is duly seized of the problems faced by the people and efforts are being made to open up channels for alternate livelihood opportunities which are sustainable as well as economically viable to ameliorate the condition of this section of the population who are hardest hit by the ban. In pursuance to the Resolution passed by the State Assembly, a proposal was submitted by the State Government requesting the Central Government to issue a notification on utmost priority invoking paragraph 12(A) (b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the effect that the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act, 1973 shall not be applicable to the areas in the State falling within the purview of the Sixth Schedule so that coal mining can resume. Further, in order to facilitate expeditious approval and clearances and keeping in view the relatively small size of the coal deposits, a proposal for certain amendments in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 was also submitted to the Government of India.

18.  In the Power sector, the Government has taken steps to achieve the target of complete rural electrification by December 2018. For this purpose, various schemes like Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), North Eastern Regional Power System Improvement Scheme (NERPSIP), Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana are under implementation. Under the UDAY scheme, the State Government has extended assistance of Rs. 125 crores to the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (MePDCL) for repayment of outstanding loans and MePDCL has drawn up an action plan to reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses. The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme was launched in the State in September 2016 through which LED bulbs are being distributed at a subsidised rate of Rs.70 only. In terms of New and Renewable Energy Programmes also, the State has made good progress. 1067 KW SPV power plants have been installed in various Govt buildings such as Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Additional Secretariat building, Raj Bhavan, Deputy Commissioner offices at Shillong, Tura and Williamnagar, District Jails etc. Besides, during 2017-18, 750 KW off-grid solar power plants will be commissioned at DC office Jowai and SDO Civil Complex at Daddengre and Amlarem. Further, more than 3000 solar LED street lighting system have been installed in 48 villages. To create awareness on renewable energy among the student community, 10KW solar-wind hybrid system has been installed at Tura Govt. College.

19.  The Industries and Commerce sector is one of the major avenues for economic upliftment of the State through employment generation. The State Government is giving due emphasis to the promotion and development of industrial activities in the State. During 2016-17, 253 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) have registered online under Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum in the State with employment potential of 1,145 persons. In the large enterprise category, 2(two) Units were set up with investment of Rs. 317.45 crores generating employment to 129 persons. On the Commerce sector, the Government has given focus on development of infrastructure for export. For setting up of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Tamabil-Dawki, West Jaintia Hills District, the Government has acquired 22 acres of land and the construction work is now in progress. With the successful implementation of the Border Haats at Kalaichar in West Garo Hills District and Balat in East Khasi Hills District, 4(four) new Border Haats along the Indo-Bangladesh international border are being set up at Bholaganj and Rynku in East Khasi Hills District, Nalikat in South West Khasi Hills District and Shibbari in South Garo Hills District for which Government of India has accorded sanction for an amount of Rs. 18.60 crores. The State Government has initiated the process of construction of these new Border Haats.

20.  The development of the Urban areas in the State have also been given due priority. Under the erstwhile programme of JNNURM, the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase-III is likely to be completed shortly. The project of solid waste management at Tura and Nongpoh are also likely to be completed soon. Under the Project of Ancillary Infrastructure, Depots for 240 additional buses at Mawiong and Upper Shillong are in progress. Construction of 112 dwelling units for the urban poor at Nongmynsong will be completed shortly. The major projects in progress include improvement of roads within Mairang and Nongpoh towns, construction of RCC Bridge to connect Gandrak Dare at Tura, construction of a road from Shamshan Ghat to Reserve Gittim and construction of Parking-cum-Commercial Facility Centre near inter District Bus Terminus at Akhonggre.

21.   To improve public transport in the rural areas, the Government has implemented the public transport system for rural areas under which buses are provided by the Government and the services are operated through the local service providers identified by the District Level Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioners. The State Government had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Govt. of India to operationalise regional air connectivity through the Shillong (Umroi) Airport which is likely to commence from September, 2017. At the same time, efforts to connect Baljek Airport are on the anvil. The railway lines to the State have been approved by the Govt. of India, as the national project to streamline systems and modalities to connect the State Capital. The Government will address all issues related to railways in order to enable the people to reap the benefits of railway connectivity which will go a long way in bringing prosperity to the State.  For construction of civilian heliport, 7 acres of land has been earmarked to improve and strengthen the helicopter service in the State. New sites in West Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills have also been identified for setting up of new helipads.

22.   Government is committed to provide adequate safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to all the inhabitants of the State. During 2016-17, 82 Rural Habitations, 23 Schools & 15 ICDS projects were covered with drinking water supply. In respect of rural sanitation, out of 4,11,610 Nos. of rural households in the State, 3,59,176 Nos. of rural households have been provided with toilets and were declared and verified as Open Defecation Free (ODF). The State is gearing up to achieve full sanitation coverage along with the rest of the country within the targeted date of 2nd October, 2019.

23.  Meghalaya has the unique distinction of having more than 70% of its total geographical area under forest cover much beyond the mandate of the National Forest Policy, 1988. The people of the State deserve accolade for conserving their precious land and forests. It is a matter of pride that last year i.e. 2016, Meghalaya was adjudged the best environmentally managed State in the country in the small category States and Mawkyrnot village bagged the India Biodiversity Award under the category ‘Sustainable Use of Bio-resources’ in recognition of its contribution in the promotion of living root bridges and protection of their surroundings. The State is recognized as one of the biodiversity hot spot regions of the world. The State has constituted 238 Biodiversity Management Committees under the Biodiversity Act 2002, and has also declared 44 Conservation Reserves covering an area of 40.39 square kms. under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Besides, survey of 125 sacred groves has been carried out across the State. The State Action Plan on Climate Change has been approved by the Government of India on projects relating to rejuvenation of water springs by spring shed development activities under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change. The Government is committed to development in a sustainable manner which will ensure that the State remains ‘clean and green’.

24. The State Government has been implementing various poverty alleviation programmes in the rural areas. For accelerating the economic and social development in these areas by increasing the income level and quality of life of the rural people, the State Government is implementing various Central Schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Grameen) (PMAY-G) and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The implementation of the MGNREGA has seen a significant jump in FY 2016-17. An amount of Rs.796.75 crores, the largest annual allocation so far, was spent during FY 2016-17 and the average person-days per household climbed to 68.15 from 54.21 in FY 2015-16. This speaks volumes of the invaluable dedication and spirit of our Village Employment Councils (VECs) and their able functionaries. The country can achieve independence from economic and social inequalities only when our grassroots are strong, thriving with innovation and actively participating in turning the wheels of growth. Towards this end, the VECs are encouraged to have a vision map of how they desire to achieve or transform their respective areas through MGNREGA. VECs have functional autonomy and are encouraged to bring about financial security by creating Self Help Groups (SHGs). Further, in view of the critical need to intervene on water sufficiency, water harvesting structures have been earmarked as one of the focus areas for the VECs in their utilisation of MGNREGA funds. An enabling environment has thus been provided by the State Government to enable our VECs to choose wisely, implement judiciously and ensure complete coverage of households. It is only when there is a safe, secure and conducive atmosphere in the State can our institutions and people translate their dreams into reality.

25.  The State Government has recently brought out the first of its kind Social Audit Act, namely, ‘The Meghalaya Community Participation and Public Services Social Audit Act 2017’. This Social Audit Act will transform the way the development programmes are implemented in the State. The participatory social audit mechanism provided under this Act will help the Govt to implement the development programmes effectively in a time bound manner by taking feedback from the people on a concurrent basis. Thus, this Act will provide an enabling platform for the local communities to participate in the development process.

26. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary sectors play an important role in uplifting the socio-economic condition of the rural people due to their traditional dependency on these sectors. The Government has identified Animal Health Care, Livestock & Poultry Production, State Livestock Mission and Skill Development as the thrust areas for which various schemes are under implementation. These activities will not only address the livestock and poultry development but will, to a great extent, reduce rural to urban migration by providing sustainable livelihoods for rural households. Recently with the launch of the Meghalaya State Livestock Mission, the State Government has been promoting livestock rearing in a big way. This will enable our rural households to undertake various activities like cattle, pig, chicken & goat rearing among others. An investment of over Rs. 1000 crores will be made in the Livestock Mission over the next 5 (five) years. Through cattle rearing, the demand for beef in our State can be met.

27.   During the 5(five) years of the implementation of the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission, the Government has created self-employment opportunities to more than 20,000 persons. Fish production in the State has increased to 1,23,000 MT which is being consumed locally. Rural tourism has also been boosted through the creation of fish sanctuaries across the State. The breeding of fishes is going on in full swing in all the hatcheries implemented in the private sector. Ground preparation for the implementation of the Central scheme of Blue Revolution is in progress and about 70.5 ha will be covered under this programme. 4,324 farms have been equipped with the latest scientific knowledge in fish farming through intensified training at the Meghalaya State Fisheries Research and Training Institute.

28.   Under the Integrated Basin Development & Livelihoods Promotion Programme, through the strong institutional framework of 39 Enterprise Facilitation Centres (EFCs) and 11 District Basin Development Units (BDUs) schemes are being implemented under different Livelihood Missions in convergence with the concerned development Departments. The Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) has recently taken up 266 kms of rural road connectivity through Megha LAMP for connecting our villages to the markets which is targeted for completion by March 2018. In January 2017, MBDA in collaboration with the District Administration, the Soil & Water Conservation Department and the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, started the “GRAMODAYA”, a state-wide mega-football event that seeks to bring together people from all walks of life in rural Meghalaya into a common platform.

29. Skills and ITI components of the Project, ‘Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya’ is making good progress. First phase of training of 7000 youth under the Skills component will commence shortly. Skills Training Plan has also been prepared for skilling of 45,000 youth during the next 2(two) years. This Training Plan focuses on training in State specific native sectors to equip the youth to undertake multiple enterprises for increased income generation and self employment. In the ITI component, civil works are progressing well in all the 8 (eight) ITIs under the Project and tenders for procurement of equipment will be issued shortly. Training of ITI faculty will also be taken up very soon. The project will ultimately enhance the employability of ITI Graduates. The State is also actively participating in the ‘Skill India Mission’. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), 33,642 youth will be provided with skills training during the next 3(three) years. A special module in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF) has been developed to prepare the youth for recruitment in Central Armed Police Forces and Defence Services and 150 youth have been trained in this module so far. Further, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed recently with Tata Trusts, Mumbai for skills and entrepreneurship development for the youth from the State, training programmes have already commenced.

30.  In the Labour sector, the Meghalaya Building and Other Constructions Workers’ Rules were recently amended and notified in March, 2017. The amended Rules provide for expansion of welfare schemes and simplification of procedures to enable the construction workers to avail the benefits more easily. Awareness programmes for registration of construction workers have been intensified.  The ESI Scheme has been implemented in 501 establishments benefiting 9,255 employees and their family members. The minimum wages are being revised periodically every 6 months as per the decision of the State Government to give the benefit of Consumer Price Index (CPI) linked Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA).

31.  In recent years, the State has witnessed immense interest in its potential in terms of tourism and tourism related activities. The State’s natural beauty, culture & tradition, festivals, adventure tourism and rural tourism, among others, have attracted tourists at a steady pace. The history of the State with its ethnic groups and rich cultural heritage offers an interesting kaleidoscope of culture, cuisine and diversity. This very strength of the State has been showcased in various platforms like Travel Tourism Fair, One World Tourism Mart, South Asian Travel & Tourism Exchange and Confederation of Indian Industry Investors Summit. Realizing this potential, the Government has undertaken a series of initiatives including the setting up tourism related infrastructure at various places in the State. The Government has also been encouraging public-private partnerships in all the tourism infrastructures created. Home-stays and Resorts are being promoted under the Meghalaya Tourism Development & Investment Promotion Scheme.  The Government also regularly provides financial assistance to major festivals of the State like 100 Drums Wangala festival, Behdeinkhlam, Nongkrem Dance and the various district tourism festivals encouraging the flow of tourists to the State. Publicity and advertisements through print media in India Traveller, Readers Digest, National Geographic, Outlook Traveller, leading journals and websites have created a strong brand of ‘Mesmerizing Meghalaya’ attracting large number of visitors to the State.

32.  With clear objectives to promote sports, inspire sportspersons and empower youth, the Government has been taking up timely implementation of various schemes and projects. These include State schemes like Intensive Sports Youth Development Scheme, District Sports Promotion Society, Chief Minister’s Career Guidance & Counselling Scheme, Youth for Green Campaign, and Central schemes in Youth Exchange Programmes, Khelo India, Hum Chuyenge Aasman, apart from the annual conduct of District & State level Athletics and Football tournaments and participation in National Football Tournaments. A very important and landmark initiative of the Government is the launching of the ‘Mission Football’ which will take the sport to the grassroots and nurture talented youth to the national and international arena. Mission Football is set to revolutionize Football in the State in the near future.

33.   On this auspicious day, those of us in public service must renew our commitment to respond to the call of duty to serve our people with love and compassion. As I conclude, I call upon the people of the State to join hands in our continuing endeavour to maintain peace and harmony so that we can forge ahead on the path of growth and development. I firmly believe that with the collaborative efforts of the Government and the people, we can pave the way for a secure, prosperous and glorious future for our State. I also urge upon the parents and guardians to devote quality time to counsel and guide their children and wards and inculcate in them high moral, ethical and social values to enable them to evolve as worthy citizens of our great country. Once again, I wish all my fellow citizens a very Happy Independence Day”.

 

 

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