Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 14: Meghalaya government has sought Rs 44 crore as financial assistance from the Centre for strengthening the fire service in the state.

Informing this today, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong said the decision was taken after the recent massive fire incident at Khyndailad.

“We have submitted a proposal to strengthen and bring (up to date) equipment. The proposal was to the tune of Rs 44 crore,” he informed.

Tynsong said he also met the secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and have apprised him on all these things. According to him, the need for small fire tender vehicles has also been included in the proposal.

The state government had also recently decided to come up with a fire safety policy and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Further, Tynsong also informed that he had recently met the secretary of DoNER on issues pertaining to delay in releasing of funds for the various projects in the state.

“There are projects for example like the science and commerce college at Mawphlang where contractors had to stop (the work) due to not getting payment. Then other projects including road projects where we have not got a second instalment or third instalment. Such issues were discussed,” Tynsong said while adding that the secretary was requested to speed up the release of the instalment to the different departments of the government of Meghalaya.