Vet hospital to come up in Shillong
Minister in charge of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Alexander Laloo Hek today said the government will soon set up the first-ever full-fledged veterinary hospital in Shillong.
“A detailed project report is being prepared for the setting up of the veterinary hospital at an estimated cost of Rs 94 crore,” Hek told reporters.
He said the site for the project will be at Upper Shillong and the proposal will be submitted to the Centre for sanctioning of funds.
Meghalaya is yet to have its own full-fledged veterinary hospital despite completing 50 years of statehood.
Hek said that the state is presently equipped with only veterinary dispensaries under the Directorate of Veterinary in East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.
“Therefore, it is high time that we get a full-fledged veterinary hospital which will be a great blessing for the people of the state,” he added.
When asked, Hek said that the DPR will be completed by next month while adding that “we will immediately seek financial support from the Centre in order to speed up the setting up of this very important hospital in the state.”
Further, the minister informed that at present the state has over 17 veterinary mobile units which are functioning on a trial basis.
Stating that the state has over 264 veterinary doctors, Hek said, “Once the state has its own dedicated veterinary hospital, the department will find out ways and means to accommodate new doctors, veterinary assistants and other staff.”
Sohiong residents flag inconsistencies in fund release
Claiming that they have not received funds from the Special Rural Works Programme (SRWP) scheme 2018-2022, a section of the residents of Sohiong constituency have demanded an answer from former MLA Samlin Malngiang as to why this situation has come about.
Speaking to media persons, John Wankhar claimed that many residents of various villages under Sohiong constituency have not received funds, despite their names having appeared in the list of beneficiaries.
Wankhar informed that after receiving complaints from villagers, a group of residents had sought RTI report from the CRD Block Office Sohiong in June 2022 on the number of beneficiaries benefited from the SRWP scheme 2018-2022.
“As per the RTI report received on 12 July 2022 from the CRD Block Office Sohiong, till date there are 15 individuals or families from various villages who have not receive any funds under the SRWP scheme 2018-2022 despite their names have appeared in the list of beneficiaries” alleged Wankhar.
Wandalin Khongsit, a resident of Kharlakhar village who had accompanied the group said that her name had also appeared in the list to receive Rs.10,000 for the implementation of SRWP scheme but till date the fund was never accredited to her account.
Khongsit said that all beneficiaries of the SRWP scheme 2018-2022 was supposed to be given Rs.10,000 to Rs.20,000 but till date there are 14 individuals or families who have not received the fund despite their names having appeared in the beneficiaries list.
“As a group and personally I have visited the CRD Block Office Sohiong and have enquired about the non-release of funds meant under SRWP scheme 2018-2022 but till date, we have not received any positive response” said Khongsit.