SHILLONG,AUG 16: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma said that Bollywood and Hollywood film production houses have shown keen interest in making Shilllong their shooting destinations for films they are producing. He said this interest is the outcome of the state government’s relentless efforts to showcase Shillong in particular and the state in general as film destination by hosting the Indian Panorama Shillong Film Festival in Shillong.
Addressing the 69th Independence Day celebration on Saturday at Polo ground after unfurling the national flag, Sangma told the huge gathering, “Hosting the Indian Panorama Shillong Film Festival has created many positive stories and we are now receiving a number of proposals for film shooting destinations both from Bollywood and Hollywood film production houses.”
Sangma informed that the state government is brand building the state as a destination for various events and construction of Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts & Culture (SICPAC) in New Shillong is aimed at promoting Shillong as a destination for regional, national and international events of various performing arts.
To add to the grandeur of celebration of the 69th Independence Day a helicopter of the Eastern Air Command flew past the parade ground showering petals as soon as the Tricolor was unfurled during the ceremonial programme.
Besides unfurling the national flag Sangma also took the Rashtriya Salute during the ceremonial parade held in the morning at the Polo ground.
The ceremonial parade in all its glory was taken part by 22 marching contingents, including 58 GTC, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, Meghalaya police, DEF, Home Guards, NCC, Bharat Scouts & Guides, school contingents and the combined brass band led by parade commander Major T. Shengboi Singh from 58 GTC.
The horse contingent from Assam Rifles Public School Laitkor added to grandeur of the parade.
Sangma reaffirmed the state government commitment to fulfill promises made to the people and said “The expectations and aspirations, the government generated through promises, particularly to the youth, will be responded with sincerity and overcome all challenges that will come on the way of generating and sustaining the momentum of growth-the growth that is needed to create sustainable opportunities for our youth and generation next.”.
Even as Sangma said the law and order situation in the state is well under control, he, however, lamented that the situation in the Garo hills districts continue to remain a cause of concern as militant and criminal outfits continue to engage in anti-national and criminal activities by indulging in abduction of civilians to financially sustain themselves with ransom. He said frequent bandh calls by such groups have disturbed the economic activity and pace of normal life in Garo hills.
But Sangma lauded the untiring efforts of the security forces against the terrorist outfits like GNLA and informed the hard work put in by the security forces have resulted in the arrest of militants and their sympathizers, seizures of arms and equipment, busting of camps and hideouts and prevention of anti-social activities. He said this was possible because of improved real time intelligence gathering and its field level execution.
Sangma added that the state police is also keeping a close watch on the trans-border movement of terrorists and have taken up the issue with the centre.
Speaking about the state government’s initiative to address long pending contentious issue of illegal immigration and influx, Sangma said engagements with all stakeholders and ngos have enabled the government to put in place a comprehensive mechanism to deal with the issue. He informed that directions have been issued to the district administrations to proceed with necessary land acquisition process for establishment of facilitation centres along the entry and exit points in the inter-state borders, adding that due diligence for necessary legislative measures to deal with the issue have been taken and a Task Force has been constituted to ensure proper monitoring of the implementation of all these measures on a time line basis.
Speaking of the areas of difference along the Assam-Meghalaya border, Sangma said these differences are being monitored continuously and efforts are on to solve the issue by putting in place mechanisms at the level of chief ministers and chief secretaries of both the states to create forum for securing permanent resolution of the issue.
Sangma said that the adoption of reforms proposed by the 14th Finance Commission will have adverse impact on the resources of the state as the funding pattern of many centrally sponsored schemes would undergo change with increase in the state share component. But, he informed, because of relentless effort of the state government, the union government has indicated restoration of the 90:10 funding pattern for some of the centrally sponsored scheme and that it would further take up with the centre for restoration of special category states for the states of north east”.
Sangma also spoke of state government’s strategizing its developmental investments to make the state capital, the district capitals and urban centres the most livable cities, towns and urban habitations, and has initiated creation of required infrastructure to facilitate natural expansion of Shillong and urban areas.
Sangma said initiatives for land acquisition for construction of 32 metres wide ROW; four laning road from Nongmynsong to Mawdiandiang , sanction for construction of parking bays for taxis and buses for embarkment and disembarkment of passengers, construction of new lay-bye and parking bay along Umiam-Shillong road for which work has been allotted, replacing the street lights with renewable solar energy, Safe and Secure City Programme for Shillong and all district capitals are a few of many programmes in pipeline to make the cities and towns most livable.
Sangma also said establishment of modern schools, 20 residential schools in rural areas for which construction work has started, initiative for establishment of semi-residential college of science and commerce at Mawphlang and Mahendraganj are initiatives to ensure that students are not compelled to look at only Shillong and Tura for quality education.
Sangma said in the health sector involvement of private sector to bridge the critical gap in health care has become sustainable now with the introduction of the most innovative and inclusive Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) covering the whole population of the state. He informed MHIS Phase II has been launched under which the insurance coverage now has been increased upto Rs. 2 lakhs for each family. He urged every family to ensure that they get their respective family registered under the scheme.
Sangma also urged the educated youth to progressively take up responsible and challenging positions in different spheres of activities and counsel with their peers, their less fortunate and less educated brethren to choose the path of peace and progress through dialogue and mutual understanding rather than resort to meaningless violence for resolution of their problems.- By Our Reporter
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