State guidelines have been framed by NITI Aayog, says Mukul

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, June 22: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today said that in order to utilize the funds released by the Centre as special assistance to the three autonomous district councils of the state guidelines have been framed by the NITI Aayog.

The guidelines have been framed with an objective to facilitate planning of suitable projects and timely implementation of planned projects.

The Union Ministry of Fince on February 18 released an amount of Rs 1000 crore to autonomous district councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.

Out of this Rs 1000 crore the three autonomous district councils in Meghalaya got Rs 267.40 crore-while the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council got Rs 133.12 crore, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council got Rs 100.71 crore and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council got Rs 33.57 crore.

Informing media persons, Dr Sangma said that as per the central government guidelines different committees at the district council and the state government levels have to be constituted for utilization of the funds.

According to the Chief Minister, the district council level committee should be headed by the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the respective district councils and state level committee would be headed by the Chief Secretary.

“A suitable form of consultation is to be ensured with the local people through elected representatives including MPs and MLAs while proposing projects,” Dr Sangma said while quoting the guidelines.

The Chief Minister also added, “The district council level committees and the state level committees shall map all on-going projects and available outlays under various schemes for planning of suitable projects and implementation of planned projects through convergence with other schemes.”

He also informed that suitable projects may be planned by the district council level committee and sent to the state level committee for approval and details op approved projects are required to be sent by the state government to NITI Aayog.

Dr Sangma also said that the grants provided are intended to be used to support and strengthen the delivery of basic civic services like water supply, sanitation, maintence of roads, street lightings among others.