Meghalaya passing through the stage of progress: Lapang

Shillong, Aug 15 (UNI) Defying the boycott call given by the militants, thousands of people today participated in the Independence Day celebrations in Meghalaya.

Unfurling the tricolour here, Chief Minister D D Lapang stressed the need to maintain peace and stability to achieve economic growth and prosperity in the state.

''Meghalaya is striding ahead along with the rest of country on the path of progress and prosperity,'' he said.

The state government would give priority to power generation, transmission grid connectivity, rural electrification, agriculture and allied sectors with strong emphasis on horticulture, Mr Lapang added.

''The issues of trade with Bangladesh and development of infrastructure has been taken up with the Centre,'' the Chief Minister said.

Besides, initiatives for the growth of Information Technology in the state had been implemented, he added.

''Initiative has been taken for development of manpower in networking by associating with the CISCO system through the Networking Academy Programme,'' he said adding that information Technology would also be used to improve the delivery of public services and ensure transparency.

Mr Lapang said the state government had revived wood-based and bamboo industries to accelerate income and employment generation potential.

In order to boost the state tourism, a holiday package scheme had recently been introduced, he said adding that significant increase in tourists visiting the state had been registered in 2006.

Speaking on the unemployment problem, Mr Lapang said 27 training centres in the state were imparting technical education to the local youths.

The state government had started peaceful negotiations with the ANVC in Garo Hills and hoped that similar talks would soon start with the HNLC, he added.

Besides, Ratriya Sam Vikas Yojana, a pilot scheme to address problems of poverty had been implemented in the West Garo Hills which would help in accelerating the development process, he said.

UNI