SHILLONG, AUG 26: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said he has taken up two key issues with the Union DoNER Minister during his recent Delhi visit – raising the state’s externally aided projects ceiling and seeking support for hosting the National Games.
He said Meghalaya’s current EAP ceiling of Rs 5,000 crore was fixed during the last Finance Commission period and the state had sought Rs 15,000 crore.
“Meghalaya is one of the better performers for EAP and 90 percent of the loan is repaid by the Government of India for Northeastern states. It is a great source of fund for us. We have appealed that the amount could at least be doubled to Rs 10,000 crore. We sought the DoNER Minister’s intervention and support in this,” Sangma said on Wednesday after the cabinet meeting.
On the National Games, Sangma said the event is being planned as a Northeast-wide games.
“We sought support from the DoNER Ministry financially and for infrastructure because though we are hosting it, every state in the Northeast will conduct at least one discipline. Keeping the spirit of the Northeast in mind, DoNER Ministry support would be apt,” he said.
The minister has agreed to examine the proposal and a presentation will be made after the Assembly session, he added.
Sangma said he also met the Union Health Minister and pushed for Institute of National Importance status for NEIGRIHMS and raised concerns over its recruitment policy.
“The minister positively accepted that INI is something NEIGRIHMS should have. I am hopeful the proposal will go through,” he said.”
On recruitment, I was surprised the minister himself was well aware of the issues before I briefed him. He said we need to find ways to help our local boys and girls get maximum recruitment opportunities,” Sangma added.
By Our Reporter
