Govt to propose upgrade of AMPT road
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sept 21: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Road) Prestone Tynsong today informed that the State government will soon take up with the Centre for converting the Agia-Mendhipara-Phulbari-Tura (AMPT) road into a national highway.
“We want to convert it to the national highway if the Government of India agrees. We will take it up with the Ministry of Road Transport for converting the road into a national highway,” Tynsong said while replying to a query raised by AITC Rajabala MLA Dr Mizanur Rahman Kazi in the Assembly.
Tynsong said that the department has taken measures to improve the AMPT road.
He said from 0.00 to 32.00 km, the work has been taken up under the scheme ‘Upgradation/Improvement of AMPT road (32 km) under World Bank while the stretch from 33.00 to 41.00 km, the DPR is under preparation.
He said that the road from 42.00 to 66.00 km is in good condition but a few potholes have developed and will be taken up after the monsoon is over.
From 67.60 to 100.20 km, Tynsong said that the construction works are being taken up under NESID for improvement including the widening of the AMPT road.
The portion from 100.20 to 103.00 km is included in the Garobadha-Selsella-Balachanda road sanctioned by the state government and the road is in good condition.
1520 drug traffickers arrested till date
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sept 21: Over 1520 persons have been arrested while 50 convicted for their involvement in drug trafficking till date, Deputy Chief Minister-in-charge of home (police) Prestone Tynsong informed in his reply to a starred question tabled in the Assembly today.
He said that the steps have been taken by the government to ensure that the culprits are convicted.
He said SOPs have been established to ensure the timely submission of exhibits to FSL (forensic science laboratory) and the prompt receipt of FSL reports. This helps in the timely preparation of chargesheets.
Tynsong also informed that the Directorate of Forensic Sciences in Mawdiangdiang has upgraded its drug testing equipment to a more advanced machine, GCMS Thermo Fisher injection machine, which enhances the capacity to examine and analyse drugs and NDPS substances. This upgrade has resulted in more timely FSL reports.
On the action against repeat offenders, the deputy CM said under the provisions of the PITNDPS Act, 1988, the State police has invoked action against 9 repeated offenders, demonstrating a commitment to tackling drug-related offences systematically.
“These steps collectively showcase the government’s commitment to addressing NDPS cases comprehensively, from investigation and prosecution to monitoring and review, with the ultimate goal of securing convictions against culprits involved in drug-related offences,” he stated.
JHADC told to work with JMB on garbage management
The Meghalaya High Court has asked the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) to act in conjunction with the municipality to ease the citizens’ woes in regard to the garbage collection in Jowai town.
“In the meantime, the Jaintia District Council should act in conjunction with the Municipality to ease the citizens’ woes,” the division bench said in its order passed after hearing a PIL filed by the Synjuk Ki Waheh Shnong Jowai.
An affidavit has been filed by the Jowai Municipality pursuant to the order dated April 17, 2023.
The petitioner flagged several issues and said that all is not well in the matter of collection of garbage in the town of Jowai.
The petitioner’s affidavit in such regard should be filed within a week from date, the bench said while adding that the matter will appear 10 days hence.
The next hearing on the matter will be held on May 12.
HC asks Jowai Municipal Board how it is disposing garbage
The Meghalaya High Court today directed the Jowai Municipal Board to file an affidavit to indicate how the garbage is being disposed of at the moment in Jowai town.
Hearing a PIL filed by the Synjuk Ki Waheh Shnong Jowai, the division bench said that despite the Jowai Municipality’s assertion that a better schedule for garbage collection is now in place, the petitioner complained that collection takes place only several times a month, rather than several times a week.
Despite previous observations, both the Jowai Municipality and the State appear to be rather indifferent to the plight of the residents in Jowai, it said.
The Court said since the Municipality claims that a better schedule is in operation and seriously disputes the submission made on behalf of the petitioner, the relevant schedule should be disclosed by way of an affidavit when the matter appears a week hence.
“The schedule should indicate the localities where trucks are assigned, the registration numbers of the trucks and the duration that the trucks remain for collection of garbage at various localities. A map of Jowai should accompany the affidavit to indicate that the entirety of the town is covered by the garbage collection drive. The Municipality should also indicate how the garbage is being disposed of at the moment, even while the compost plant is being made ready,” it said in the order.
The next hearing will be held on April 27.