From A Correspondent
SHILLONG, March 10: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has refuted claims by the opposition that his government was yet to pay rehabilitation package to cadres of the disbanded Achik tiol Volunteer Council (ANVC) and its splinter group ANVC (B).
While replying during the debate on the Governor’s address on Friday, he informed that rehabilitation packages was disbursed to 363 out of the 367 cadres of the AVCB and 139 cadres of the disbanded ANVC (B).
He informed the House that three of the members of the disbanded ANVC members did not avail the rehabilitation package while one expired.
Dr Sangma also informed that out of the 139 members of the disbanded ANVC (B) only 11 have been able to take advantage of the rehabilitation package while 53 cadres their cases were sent for minor corrections and 74 cadres were yet to submit details of the bank accounts.
“There is no point in blaming the government. The government has ensured that the rehabilitation packages reach the cadres,” Dr Sangma told the House.
The Chief Minister also said that the state in the past had a temporary sense of achieving peace like when it did in 2004 when the ANVC signed tripartite agreement.
On the issue of dealing with crimes against women and children the Chief Minister said that in such cases filing charge-sheet and prosecution becomes crucial to act as deterrents for crimils.
The Chief Minister also assured the House that his government will pursue the drug mece with right earnest.
According to Dr Sangma there was a need to strengthen the Health Department and Inspectorate of Drugs.