Meghalaya govt seeks Rs 111 crore from Finance Commission

The Meghalaya government today sought Rs 111 crore from the Centre for creation of an elite police commando training centre and a special task force battalion in the state, officials said.
The demand was made before members of the 14th Finance Commission which was on a two-day visit to the state to hear financial demands of the government, autonomous district councils and municipal boards, they said.
"The Chief Minister in his presentation sought a special fund for creation of state-of-the-art Commando training centre in the state in line with those of the elite SPG," an official told the PTI on condition of anonymity.

The centre would also have an all weather digital firing range and a world-class gymnasium, the official said.
He said the elite training centre would cost Rs 22 crore for which funds were sought from the Centre through the Commission headed by former RBI governor Y V Reddy.
A sum of Rs 89.57 crore was also sought for creation of a special task force battalion for counter insurgency operations, the official said.

About Rs 27 crore would be incurred for infrastructural development including the cost of land which was estimated at Rs 2.5 crore, he said.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma sought Rs 50,000 crore to meet non-plan expenditure and to give thrust to development projects in the state.

The chief minister also sought Rs 30.30 crore for construction of the offices of the deputy commissioners of four newly created districts besides Rs 306 crore for salaries of over 800 new posts in the districts.