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.
Govt still waiting for Centre on ILP
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sep 20: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said the State government is still waiting for the response from the Centre on the resolution adopted by the Assembly for implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.
“The State government has been consistently following it up with the union home ministry on the issue of ILP and the State is waiting for the response from the Government of India on the matter,” Sangma told the Assembly.
Replying to a zero-hour notice, Sangma informed that a State delegation led by him had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on August 8, urging his intervention into the various issues concerning the State which include implementation of the ILP.
He said that the State government had also submitted a memorandum on the matter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the State in 2021.
Sangma said that the demand for ILP grew louder in Meghalaya after the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by the Centre.
In view of this, the State Assembly had adopted the official resolution for the implementation of ILP in 2019. The resolution was sent to the MHA on December 23, 2019 followed by a reminder on November 17, 2020.