Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 330/15

NOTICE

Shillong, May 26, 2015: The Superintendent of Police-cum-Foreigners Registration Officer, East Khasi Hills, Shillong has requested the management of Hotels, Guest Houses, Schools, Colleges, Universities, Boarding Houses, Corporate Houses, Churches, Mosques, Temples and owner of private houses in the District to inform the Superintendent of Police-cum-Foreigners Registration Officer, East Khasi Hills, Shillong either on-line on the office website http://indianfrro.gov.in/frro or in person about the arrival/departure of any foreigner staying or visiting their respective place within 24 hours of their arrival. Failing to comply with this directive, case will be registered as per the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and Foreigners Registration Act, 1939, which may be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be liable with fine.

Press Release No. 338/15

PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE HELD DISCUSSION WITH NEC AND STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Shillong, May 26, 2015: With the commitment of the Government of India to develop the North Eastern Region and also to strengthen the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs today held a discussion with the officials of the State Government and North Eastern Council at the State Convention Centre, Shillong.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee led by Shri. P Bhattacharya, Chairman also comprised of Shri. S Banerjee, Shri. Ankit Bhatia, Shri. Chandrakant Khaire, Shri. Dilip Patel, Shri. Bheem Rao Patil, Shri. D K Mishra, Shri. Nagarajan P, Shri. Ramen Deka, Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Shri. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Shri. Selvakumara and Shri Chinayan S, all Members of Parliament. The State Government was led by the State Chief Secretary, Shri. Barkos Warjri while Shri. Ameising Luikham, Secretary, led the NEC delegation.

In a thorough discussion, the State Government apprised the Committee on the problems that Meghalaya faced due to the suspension of Central Government’s subsidies on all development projects. The Chief Secretary said that all the North Eastern States, with the exception of Assam, does not have huge resources to sustain themselves, so suspension of subsidy has extensively affected the States of the North East. He urged upon the Committee to appraise the Centre of this problem and find ways to address it. The Chief Secretary also pointed out that the Ministry of DoNER does not have technical support for developmental schemes which he felt is the reason for the delay in allocation of funds. So he suggested that the Committee look into this matter so that funds can be expedited in a timely manner. He also said that the NEC is doing a very good job and therefore with sufficient manpower and authority, the Council can play a more effective role in the development of the region.

The Secretary NEC, in his submission, said that the Council has been involved in many big projects such as setting up of State of the art infrastructures in North Eastern Police Academy, power projects, medical institutions and others. Stating that the role of the NEC is vast, he urged upon the committee to consider enhancing fund allocation and also the strength of human resources. He also felt that by working in convergence with DoNER and the State Governments, the North East can be at par with the rest of India.

While summing up on the deliberations made, the Committee gave an assurance that it will consider these issues and apprise the Central Government of the problems that are being faced by the States of the North East and Meghalaya, in particular. The Committee also felt that suspension of subsidy should be reconsidered and resolve at the earliest. On the issue of the role of the Ministry of DoNER, the Committee felt that the role of the Ministry needs to be re-evaluated. Moreover, the Committee felt the need to strengthen manpower and technical know-how in the Ministry so that the developmental front of the North East is not hampered.

With regard to coal mining, the Committee is of view that coal mining needs to be regulated and that the State Government should ensure that extraction of coal be done in a scientific and organized manner as coal is one of the revenue generated resources of the State.

The Committee called upon the officials of DoNER, NEC and State Government to work in synergy so that these bottleneck issues could be resolved.