State Suffered Double Loss During 14th Finance Commission’s Period: Conrad K Sangma

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the State has been suffering a double loss through the 14th Finance Commission period, given the National Green Tribunal’s ban on coal mining in the State from 2014, which resulted in an estimated revenue loss of about Rs. 4000 crores in the last five years.

“We have not been compensated for this loss by the 14th Finance Commission either through the revenue gap grant route or through increased weightage for eco-system services in the devolution formula,” Conrad said while addressing the conclave of the Himalayan States held at Mussoorie on Sunday.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that he appreciated the 14th Finance Commission giving a weightage of 7.5 percent for forest cover in the horizontal devolution formula, but this weightage should be substantially increased now.

Meghalaya Chief Minister pointed out that the 76 per cent of the land is under forest cover and also receive abundant rainfall.

Conrad K Sangma said that the forests have been well managed by communities and there are fantastic examples of environmental protection like the sacred groves and living root bridges.

Meghalaya also has 3,810 villages with springs, which is the highest number of spring water sources among the Eastern Himalayan States.

“However, with growing population, urbanisation and changing lifestyles, there is increased pressure on both land and water resources,” he pointed out.

He further said that the impact of climate change is being felt in multiple ways — the rainfall pattern in the State has become erratic and extreme weather events have become more frequent.

Conrad K Sangma pointed out that all this has adversely impacted the livelihoods of people, which are intricately connected with forests and environment.

“Against this background, the State government has placed sustainability and environmental conservation at the centre of its development efforts,” the Chief Minister said.

He also pointed out that the State government is implementing the Integrated Natural Resource Management Planning in all the 6,500 villages of the State.

Special emphasis is being laid on restoration of land and rejuvenation of springs in the 400 most affected villages.

He also said that livelihoods linked to natural resources are being encouraged and protected in a significant way.

“We have launched mission mode programs to improve the production, productivity and marketability of products like Fish, Milk, Muga Silk, Lakadong Turmeric, Jack Fruit and Mushroom,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that his government has launched the ‘Meghalaya One Citizen One Tree’ initiative and encouraged every citizen of the State to plant and take care of at least one tree.

Conrad also told the gathering that Meghalaya is the first in the country to formulate a State Water Policy.

Also Read: Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma Lauded for a Legal Victory in Coal Mining Case