Meghalaya Budget session begins

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday highlighted the various initiatives, intervention programmes and achievements of the government in the past one year.

Delivering his customary address on the first day of the Budget session of the State Legislative Assembly, the Governor highlighted the concerted efforts of the government to achieve socio-economic development and progress in all spheres.

On the measures taken to boost the standard of living, the Governor stated, ''The Government is particularly focussed on enhancing the service delivery in Health and Education sectors as well as to make more investments in physical infrastructures such as roads, bridges, power and drinking-water supply."

Malik also pointed to the government's emphasis on critical areas to improve rural livelihoods and promote enterprises through the mission mode interventions in the fields of Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Animal husbandry.

The Governor also spoke about the funding patterns from the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and other financing agencies to leverage the different projects related to the Road sector.

"The NEC has sanctioned two projects for Meghalaya under the 'North East Road Sector Development' scheme during 2020-2021 along the inter-State boundary with Assam at an amount of Rs 142 crore," said the Governor.

He added, "At present, 37 projects are being developed with the 'Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources' with an estimated cost of Rs 77-25 crore," he said, adding that the DoNER Ministry has already released Rs 400.56 crore for undertaking the projects.

Malik also announced that the State government is undertaking the 'Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project' funded by the World Bank at a cost of Rs 763 crore.

The project will improve about 500 km of strategic road segments and standalone bridges by using innovative, climate-resilient and nature-based solutions, said the Governor.

On the Department of Health & Family welfare, the Governor said that the spread of COVID-19 has been effectively contained and the level of awareness raised among the masses.

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