Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today informed the House that the scientific mining of coal in the state is in an advanced stage.
“We are waiting for the final environmental clearance and public hearing to take place and we expect this entire process to take place in about 45 to 60 days.” Sangma told the house during his reply to the debate on the Governor’s address.
He said that there may be some small matters to fulfill, but the government is “very sure” that by the next financial year the actual scientific mining process will start in the state.
He also said that the government would be unable to buy land for protection of catchment areas due to huge financial implications.
The Chief Minister informed that the MeghARISE project worth Rs. 344 crore to protect the catchment areas especially for Shillong and Tura.
“With these projects we will try to figure out how we can compensate the different land owners as the amount to purchase lands would be very high,” Sangma said.
On the issue of drug menace in the state, he said that there has been unprecedented action against drug peddlers and the movement of drugs in the state in the last few years.
The Chief Minister informed that over 1600 individuals have been arrested, over 882 cases have been registered out of which 696 cases have been chargesheeted even as he informed the almost 40,000 grams of heroin, 11,000 kilograms of ganja, 2700 grams of opium, 323 vehicles and Rs. 1 crore cash were seized.
“There has been a very aggressive movement from the Home department, which has been very firm that the movement of drugs is stopped,” Sangma added.
Stating that curbing the menace of drugs is difficult, the Chief Minister said the reason was because it is highly lucrative and high margin deal.
According to the Chief Minister there are a lot of people involved in this and it is very challenging for the police sometimes. “But we are doing our best to ensure that we are able to address these issues,” he said.
Sangma told the House that the government has come up with the DREAM project meant to give a larger, more holistic approach to dealing with the drug issue.
According to him it is not just about the supply but it is about rehabilitation and providing different support structures and ensuring that the drug addicts are given the guidance so that they do not go back to taking drugs again.
The Chief Minister also informed that the state government would be spending more than Rs. 5000 crores in Shillong city, administrative city and knowledge city.
“Shillong city will see a huge investment which is unprecedented in nature which will completely transform and create Shillong into a growth centre,” Sangma told the house.
