Meghalaya seeks additional sanction of Rs. 23 Cr for construction of SICPAC

Guwahati: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today met Union DoNER Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh regarding the construction of Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts & Culture.

CM Sangma also informed that he sought an additional sanction of Rs. 23 crore from the Centre under the NLCPR component for infrastructure requirements.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, the chief minister also met the Union Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum stating that the sanctioned amount of Rs 151.33 crore did not cover the requirement of high-quality audio-visual equipment.

It is to be mentioned that the project is financed under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR).

A statement issued by Meghalaya Chief Minister's Office(CMO) on Thursday said, "Since the sanctioned amount did not cover the requirement of high-quality audio-visual equipment, the State Government had also requested a sanction of Rs 22.85 crore from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the North Eastern Council (NEC)," read a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has also sanctioned an amount of Rs 12.85 crore. Meanwhile, the NEC has agreed to provide Rs 10 crore for the same project.

SICPAC has been envisioned to contribute towards the development and promotion of the arts and culture of Meghalaya and the entire North-Eastern Region.

Sangma also discussed issues related to the sanctions for the construction of the 'Rongjeng Mangsang A'dokgre road', including a 'bridge over River Ildek' under the Ministry.

Highlighting the importance of the project, the Chief Minister also said, "The road is a strategic road of the State, especially for the Garo Hills region that will provide the much-needed connectivity to a large number of villages in the area".

Notably, the Chief Minister Sangma has sought the intervention of the DoNER minister in sanctioning the required amount required to restart construction work.

As per reports, the Chief Minister also informed the MoS on the current status of NLCPR, NESIDS and NEC projects in Meghalaya and sought his intervention in the sanctioning of ongoing projects in the State.

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