Meghalaya bureaucrats vow not to surrender single pie

Shillong, Jul 11 (UNI) In order to ensure all-round development and expedite implementation of welfare schemes, bureaucrats in Meghalaya have pledged not to surrender even a single paisa out of the annual budgetary allocation for the state.

The secretaries of the various government departments have also pledged not to surrender a single paisa and decided to utilise the last penny and keep alternative plans on stand by, Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee told reporters here today.

The State had to surrender an unutilised amount of Rs 50 crore during the last fiscal to the Centre, Mr Chatterjee rued and stressed on streamlining the administration.

Mr Chatterjee said the government has, for the first time also appointed a commissioner in charge of 'infrastructure co-ordination' among various government departments.

The newly appointed commissioner, V S Oberoi would ensure enhanced co-ordination between government departments with the aim to expedite implementation of welfare schemes and galvanise the state resources, the Chief Secretary said.

'' We have a very competent team of officers, but the various departments have been functioning 'individually' keeping in view their own respective interests. We need to put our acts together and run like a team for fruitful development of the State,'' he said.

On the reopening of the long closed traditional border 'haats', the Chief Secretary said Union foreign affairs secretary has 'successfully' prevailed upon Bangladesh on the need for reopening of the long closed traditional border 'haats', fencing of the porous boundary and disallowing militant outfits of the state to carry out nefarious activities from the soil of the neighbouring country.

Mr Chatterjee further informed that the formulation of the mining policy of the state was in its final stages. ''It is expected to be complete by August,'' he said.

UNI