Shillong, June 5:The BJP is not in favour of reviewing the MoU based on the outcome of first phase of border talks.
When pointed out about the stand of coalition partner UDP, the state BJP president Ernest Mawrie told reporters on Monday that the talks should go on for the remaining six areas of difference.
According to Mawrie, after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office for the 2nd term in 2019, he emphasised on the inter- state border dispute issue among the Northeastern states .
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the North East Chief Ministers including Assam Chief Minister to solve the boundary issues with neighbouring states in a time bound manner. Though the Congress for the last 50 years ruled both Meghalaya and Assam and inspite of their presence at Centre, they dragged the inter-state border issue for their political benefits”, Mawrie said.
He appreciated Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for showing keen interest with Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Bisawa Sarma to resolve the dispute. In a short span of time, 6 areas of difference out of 12 were settled between Assam and Meghalaya, he said.
“This is true in certain areas that there are still small disputes remaining but both the states’ leaderships are working out to get a permanent solution. So we can say that 60 percent of the border dispute between Assam Meghalaya has already been resolved and I hope that within this year both Assam and Meghalaya will achieve 100 per cent result.
HNLC peace talks
He also thanked both the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their efforts in bringing the HNLC for peace talks even within the ambit of the Constitution of India to ‘regain the respect and recognition as a nation’.
He also appreciated the state government’s effort to bring HNLC to the negotiation table.
“As the process is in full swing, I hope with in a short period we will get the good news about the matter”, he said.
10 billion dollar economy
He said it is a proud moment for any Meghalayan that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma presented Meghalaya’s vision for a $10 billion economy at NITI Aayog.
“As our CM is committed to take Meghalaya’s economy to $10 billion by 2028, respecting his commitment, we the Meghalayans need to be positive towards the growth of the state leaving aside our political differences for the glory of our state”, he said.
Road and Air connectivity
Be it road ways or the Air connectivity, the last 9 years have been significant for the state”, Mawrie said.
“All road projects started during the Congress regime years back were completed by Modi government. During the tenure of Late Prime Minister Atal ji, the Jorabat to Umiam 4 Lane Road was sanctioned but was completed after Modiji became Prime Minister. The Umroi to Mawryngkneng bypass was only an election propaganda for the then Congress, now it is a reality after Modiji came to power. During Prime Minister’s visit to Shillong for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of North Eastern Council, he had laid multiple projects which include the inauguration of 320 completed and 890 under construction 4G mobile towers, the new campus of IIM Shillong, at Umsawli, the Shillong–Diengpasoh road which will provide better connectivity to new Shillong satellite township.The Prime Minister also inaugurated Spawn Laboratory at Mushroom Development Center and Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre in Meghalaya He also laid the foundation stone of the Integrated Hospitality and Convention Centre at Tura and Shillong Technology Park Phase -II”, Mawrie said.
In air connectivity, he said the union government made efforts to improve air traffic to Shillong through its UDAN scheme.
“Now, Shillong is connected to Kolkata and all Northeastern states through flights. The aviation ministry is also ready to expand the airport so that more flights can operate, but the state government’s cooperation is also required”, he said.
Dhubri-Phulbari bridge
19 km Dhubri-Phulbari bridge is under construction. The 4-lane bridge project over Brahmaputra river connects Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya.
The project’s civil construction work is being done by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corp. Ltd (NHIDCL) and it is funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project estimated to cost Rs 3,165.99 crore, aims to reduce the road distance between the two states by 203 km and improve the connectivity of India’s Northeastern states with the rest of the country.
“Not only it will be an important passage for offering easier access to our Northeastern international borders but will give a huge fillip to trade and commerce in the region for the accelerated development of all the North eastern states”, Mawrie added.
Medical sector
“In medical sector, Modi government significantly helped people of Meghalaya through the opening of NEIAH in Shillong.This institute has helped the people in Meghalaya in particular and North East in general to get cheap and quality medical facilities”, he said.
“It is proud to say that students from across the globe are studying now in NEIAH. The institute is also exploring to attach the traditional medicine on its premises. NEIGRIHMS is continuously getting a face lift to enhance its facilities and new departments are being now coming up in NEIGRIHMS. The best cancer institute in Meghalaya is coming up within a short span under the NEIGRIHMS. The Centre is committed to make Meghalaya a hub for medical tourism. During Covid management, the Prime Minister provided Meghalaya with all the facilities. During Covid, Modi government gave free rice (5kg per head). The scheme of Modi in Meghalaya is popularly known as khaw Modi. Even though many non-BJP ruled states are taking credit of it by putting up the photographs of their chief ministers, the Centre felt that anyone can take credit but at the end of the day, poor people should get the benefits.
Reservation Policy
Commenting on the state reservation policy, the BJP leader said the party had attended the all-party meeting called by Chief Minister and agreed to a special committee.. It is the duty of the committee to talk to all the concerned people.
New Assembly building
Mawrie said in line with the new Parliament building which was completed within 28 months and inaugurated by Prime Minister on May 28, the state government should speed up the construction of new Assembly building.
“There were no untoward incidents during the construction of the Parliament and we have not heard any scams about the construction”, Mawrie said.
The BJP leader reminded that after the Assembly was gutted in 2001, successive governments failed to give Meghalaya a new Assembly.
“I earnestly request our Hon’ble Chief Minister to see that before next parliament election people of Meghalaya get a new Assembly building”, he said.
Rozgar Mela
The prime minister’s Rozgar Mela was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to felicitate youths to get jobs at their doorsteps and different union ministers, state chief ministers are distributing appointment letters to the unemployed youths in such job fairs.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN YOJANA) is a government scheme that provides up to Rs 6,000 per year as minimum income support to all small and marginal farmers. This 75,000-crore scheme aims to cover 125 million farmers in India, regardless of the size of their landholding.
The PM Kisan Yojana provides an annual income support of Rs 6000 to all eligible farmer families across the country in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 every four months. According to the scheme, a family consists of a husband, wife, and minor children. Rs 2,000 is directly transferred to the farmers’/farmer’s family’s bank accounts.
Manipur situation
He said the BJP is concerned about the Manipur situation.
“We are all are concerned about the Manipur situation. We thank our state government for taking the initiative for bringing back the students from Manipur safely. Prime Minister and Home Minister are round the clock monitoring on the situation in Manipur. Respected Amit Shahji’s recent visit is expected to be significant in bringing back peace in Manipur. We all should pray that normalcy comes back to the state of Manipur at the earliest”, Mawrie said.
Train tragedy in Odisha
The BJP leader is also saddened by the loss of many precious lives in the train accident in Odisha.
“On behalf of the State BJP, Meghalaya. I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives, and pray to God to give strength to the bereaved families”.
26 schemes of Modi
The BJP has compiled a list of the Modi governments’ major centrally sponsored schemes.
1. The Jan Dhan Yojana
2. Skill India Mission
3. Indian-made
4. Mission Swachh Bharat
5. Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana
6. Shramev Jayate Yojana
7. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
8. Hridaya Plan
9. PM Mudra Yojana
10. Ujala Yojana
11. Atal Pension Yojana
12. Jyoti Bima Yojana
13. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
14. Smart City Initiative
15. Amrut Strategy
16. Mission for Digital India
17. Gold Monetization Plan
18. Scheme for Sovereign Gold Bonds
19. UDAY
20. Start-up India
21. Setu Bhartam Yojana
22. Stand,-up India
23. Gramoday Se Bharat Uday
24. Prime Minister Ujjwala Plan
25. Namami Gange Yojana
26. Satat Scheme
