Economy / Meghalaya

NEW DELHI, April 25 ? Meghalaya ranked lowest in utilisation of funds from the Centre?s non-lapsable Central pool of resources scheme for the speedy development of the north-eastern region while Tripura topped the list for maximum per capital utilisation of the allocated money, reports PTI. ?The largest amount of Rs 293.16 crore was released for various projects in Assam during the last four financial years allowed by Rs 215.29 crore for Tripura.

The lowest release of Rs 66.81 crore was for Meghalaya due to poor utilisation of funds and lack of viable project proposals,? PD Shenoy, secretary...

NEW DELHI, April 24 ? Although the highest allocation from the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Fund went to Assam, the State has slipped in utilisation, even as Tripura emerged at the top in terms of utilisation of funds sanctioned out of the pool. For the fund starved north-eastern States, there is encouraging news in store as with the activation of the Central Pool of Resources the allocation is expected to go up. Allocation for the last four years has recorded a quantum jump to Rs 1,346.72 crore. Among the north eastern States, the highest allocation of Rs 293.16 crore has flowed to Assam...

GUWAHATI, April 19 ?The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) has launched a five-year rural industries programme (RIP) in Garo Hills with support from Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) on March 15 at the District Industries Center (DIC), Tura. Sampat Kumar, district planning officer, West Garo Hills district inaugurated the programme. This was stated in a press release. In his inaugural address, Sri Kumar spoke about the importance of entrepreneurship in economic development of a district or a region and also for generation of job opportunities for the youth. He felt...

SHILLONG, April 13? Meghalaya claims to be one of the financially best managed States in the North-eastern region but the State?s balance from current revenue (BCR) has been negative for four years indicating that the State had to depend only on borrowings for meeting its plan expenditure. Several other indicators of financial health also indicate a worsening scenario for the State which is virtually surviving on doles from the Centre. The ratio of capital outlay to capital receipts has come down from 1.90 in 1996-97 to 1.79 in 2000-2001 indicating worsening sustainability of the State. Again...

SHILLONG, April 3 ? Meghalaya Transport Minister Cyprian R Sangma Tuesday informed the Assembly that the State Transport Corporation was incurring a monthly loss of Rs 27 lakh, reports PTI. Replying to a question of the Opposition member, TH Rangad (BJP), Sangma said the monthly expenditure of the Corporation was Rs 50 lakh, while its earning was Rs 23 lakh, leading to a monthly loss of Rs 27 lakh. The loss was due to the fact that only 51 buses were on the road, while 29 others were lying in the workshop, he said. Besides, high cost of maintenance, high cost of diesel, petrol, lubricants and...

SHILLONG, March 26 ? Meghalaya Finance Minister AH Scott Lyngdoh today presented a Rs 79.45 crore surplus budget which included additional resources of Rs 10 crore expected to be garnered through hikes in taxes on timber and ?teer?. Laying the budget estimates for the year 2002-2003, Scott Lyngdoh said the estimates envisaged an opening balance of Rs 35.57 crore and a total receipt including receipts under public accounts of Rs 16,353.46. This is against a corresponding expenditure of Rs 16,309.58 crore, resulting in an estimated closing balance of Rs 79.45 crore, he explained.

The additional...

SHILLONG, Jan 5 — Growth in insurgency in Meghalaya is often attributed to lack of employment opportunities, but unfortunately tardy and perfunctory implementation of employment generation schemes besides under utilisation of funds have adversely affected creation of jobs in the State. Various urban employment generation programmes had been implemented in the State since 1989 with the objective of alleviating urban poverty through creation of self employment. Besides, wage employment is generated through construction of socially and economically useful assets.

“The programmes were implemented...

SHILLONG, April 12: The Union Minister of State for Small Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries, Vasundhara Raje has assured Meghalaya that she will take up with the Centre the extension of the incentives granted under the Central Industrial Policy for Northeastern States to the small-scale and agrobased industries irrespective of their location. At a meeting with the Meghalaya Industries Minister S Siangshai, on Wednesday the Union Minister responded favourably to the issues raised by the former. She further assured that she would take up with the Union Government other issues like...

SHILLONG, April 10: Meghalaya Minister of Finance and IPR, AH Scott Lyngdoh inaugurated the third national-level Shillong Trade Fair 2001 organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA) at Shillong Polo Ground on April 6, stated a release. Speaking on the occasion, Lyngdoh said that Shillong has come out of its isolation, and he hope that the people will avail of the facilities made through these kind of fora. Stating that this is an opportunity for the people and the consumers at large to meet and see what the young entrepreneurs are exhibiting, Lyngdoh added that the...

ICHAMATI (Meghalaya-Bangladeshi Border) April 4: The normally bustling mining village of Ichamati, which along with nearby Shella and Borsora, is responsible for nearly 75 per cent of Meghalaya's lucrative limestone export trade with Bangladesh, has been quiet since February 20 this year. The sudden closure of Gate No. 7 on the border fence since that day by the BSF brought about an abrupt halt to the export trade to Bangladesh. This has affected not only the substantial revenue collection of the Meghalaya Government but also the livelihood of over 600 families dependent on the mining and...