Shillong, May 02: The Regional Committee of the National People’s Party (NPP) for Garo Hills, in its emergent Meeting recently at Tura, discussed the matter regarding the Sanction for Release of Share of Royalty to the Autonomous District Councils by the State Govt. of Meghalaya.
The Under Secretary to the Goverment of Meghalaya, Mining and Geology Department, vide letter No. MG.61/2015/PT/117 Dated. Shillong, the 31st March, 2017 released the total amount of Rupees Thirty Eight Crores four lakhs nineteen thousand three hundred fortyone only, being the share of royalty on major minerals payable to three Autonomous District Councils as indicated below:
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Shillong, received Rs. 19,50,47,790/- the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, Jowai received Rs. 18,46,57,437/- and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Tura get only Rs. 7,14,114/-.
The NPP condemns this discriminatory attitude of the Dr. Mukul Sangma led Congress Government for sanctioning just a mere Rs.7,14,114/- (Rupees Seven Lakhs fourteen thousand one hundred and fourteen) only to GHADC, Tura which was a glaring example of disparity when compared to the amount sanctioned to the Congress led EC of the KHADC and JHADC . This was a clear case of bias on the part of the Congress Government towards the people of Garo Hills and this was totally unbecoming of the Government of the day.
The meeting unanimously resolved to seek justice and at the same time seek clarification as to why this injustice was meted out to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Tura when the Council is facing acute financial crisis and it is not being able to pay the salaries to its employees for so many months.
The meeting also resolved to condemned the sudden closing of Stone Quarries only in the District of West Garo Hills resulting in an unfortunate halt to all governmental, private and individual constructions of buildings, roads and bridges, etc. It was also resolved that the Government will be urged to allow the sale of stone materials for at least the local consumption.
It was also resolved that in view of the acute shortage of water supply in entire Garo Hills area especially in Tura, Williamnagar, Baghmara and other District Headquarters, the Government of Meghalaya will be urged to rectify all problems and accordingly ensure regular and uninterrupted water supply is provided in all the Districts of Garo Hills said James K Sangma MLA Spokesperson NPP Meghalaya State Unit.
