Meghalaya DGP’s intervention sought against ‘illegal coal transportation’ in Garo Hills region
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 5: BJP MDC from Tura Bernard N Marak today sought the intervention of the Director General of Police (DGP) LR Bishnoi against the alleged illegal transportation of coal in the South Garo Hills district.
An FIR in this regard was also filed with the Nongalbibra police station.
In a letter to the DGP, Marak said, “The reason for inaction by the police raised doubts so I am forwarding my complaint with a copy of the FIR submitted to Nongalbibra police station which has the coordinates of the depos for your reference. Therefore, kindly take immediate action and stop all illegal coal-related activities and honour the Court order.”
He said the complaint is to bring to notice the seriousness of the illegal transportation of coal which is happening openly in huge quantities in the state.
“Overloaded coal trucks without proper documents are plying freely at night by merely paying the entry fee approximately amounting to Rs 1,25,000/- per truck which is not recorded by the Government and without paying royalty tax to the Autonomous District Council (ADCs) and not following the directions of the honourable Supreme Court is a gross violation of the Honorable Supreme Court order dated 03.07.2019 and unjustified exploitation of the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India as all districts in Meghalaya falls under the Hill provisions,” Marak alleged.
“Hundreds of trucks are illegally lifting the coal from Era Aning and Jadigittim and illegal dumpings are taking place openly at the same places which grossly violates the Supreme Court order of 03.07.2019,” he said.
Further, the BJP leader demanded an investigation into the matter and said, FIR copy which is attached here should be investigated as coal was loaded from the mentioned depo at Era Aning and Jadigittim under Nongalbibra Police Station, South Garo Hills, Meghalaya.”
Ampareen wants report on non-functional health centres
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has sought a report on non-functional health care centres across the state.
This was after a delegation of the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) Ri Bhoi District and Dorbar Shnong of Parila village has sought her intervention to make functional the MCH hospital at the village by appointing manpower for the interest of the people of the area.
After the meeting, Lyngdoh told reporters that she will be conducting an inspection to this important health facility at Parila on May 8.
Congress MLA Celestine Lyngdoh and Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, who is the adviser in the health department, will also be present during the inspection.
“I hope I will be able to attend to the important facility that has been used as a Covid centre and used as a quarantine centre. So we will go and we will see and until that time I hope I will do all my homework before May 8,” she said.
The minister informed that there was some issue related to staff and said, “I don’t know whether posts have been created and sanctioned or interviews have been conducted. We will have to look at the HR allocation but with the NHM in place, I am sure we will be able to run it adequately so let us wait and see what information I gather before the actual inspection.”
When asked, Lyngdoh said she will send a team of officials to inspect across the state and submit a report on non-functional health centres.
“I will take that report sometime in the first week of May and accordingly we will try to address the shortfalls and accordingly we will try to ensure that we upgrade or make all such facilities operational and it is a humongous task as I have to go across the state to check these centres,” she said while adding that “So we will begin with Parila and we will see where we go next and I am determined to make difference and I will try my best. We must make sure that if facilities have been raised they should be operational.”
On the other hand, the minister maintained that she will ensure there is no politics in this sector and said, “…at the end of the day the health facilities of the state must conform to certain standards and I am a very willing minister to ensure there is no politics in this sector at least.”