“Zero tolerance” policy for violence: Sangma

Shillong, August 15 : Even as Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma has called upon those who had joined militancy to leave the path of violence and, instead, join the fight against hunger and poverty he, however,  warned that the government will continue to follow the policy of “zero tolerance” while dealing with criminal activities perpetuated by militants or surrenderees.

In his Independence Day speech to the State held in third ground at Polo on Tuesday Sangma said, “Our Government has kept a very open mind in dealing with the militant outfits.  I am aware that a number of our young men are drawn into these outfits under compelling situations.  Therefore, I call upon all these young men to leave the path of violence and join the fight against hunger and poverty rather than play into the hands of anti-national elements and foreign inimical forces. “While Sangma admitted that the activities of the proscribed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants remain a cause of concern for the government, but described the act of defying of the Garo hills citizens against the bandh called the militant outfit as “watershed event” in the history of state fighting insurgency.

Speaking on the need for transparency in police recruitment so as tto build a fully professional, impartial and honest police service Sangma informed that the State Government has drawn up a new recruitment policy based on automated testing methods, to ensure transparency and efficiency in recruitment to these forces.

Talking about the State’s per capita income, Sangma said it is ninety percent of the national average,  therefore, Meghalaya will have considerable catching up to do.  For this to happen he was of the opinion that the State will have to substantially enhance the investments and improve the productivity.

With regard to development Sangma said, inadequate development is seen also in terms of poor human development indicators, and significant inter-district difference in per capita district development product. This underlines the need to rework the strategy not only to accelerate growth but also to make it participatory and inclusive.”

Sangma felt in order to spread out economic development and address rural unemployment; it has become important to develop sustainable livelihood opportunities in the rural-based primary sector. Development will be based on the State’s existing resource base, and in the primary sector, the priorities will be to lay the foundations for improved agricultural and horticultural productivity, setting up strong linkages with the markets, besides providing multiple non-farm rural livelihoods.

Sangma also underlined the need to provide the youths with strong training in information technology (IT) and IT enabled services, various aspects of hotel management and other skills that can provide them employment within the region or the country.

Sangma informed that to achieve the 11 per cent growth rate needed to catch up with the rest of the country, the Meghalaya government have proposed the 12th Plan size of Rs. 27,027 crore. He said, “While this is yet be finalised by the Planning Commission, in recognition of the need for higher investments and also better performance and improved financial management by the State, the Planning Commission has agreed to an outlay of Rs.3,939 crore for the Annual Plan 2012-13, which marks an increase of about 44% over the plan size of 2011-12.”

Turning the focus to sports, Sangma informed that the government will make special/additional investments for sports with a special focus to make Meghalaya a football destination apart from promoting tennis, table tennis, badminton, martial arts, archery besides athletics.  A special scholarship for sportspersons of the State is a part of the programme along with investments in infrastructure and promoting sporting events.- By Our Reporter

 

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