Meghalaya Governor Banwarilal Purohit today said the work on Tetalia-Byrnihat railway line in Ri-Bhoi district of the state is in progress and is likely to be commissioned by March next year.
"The work on Tetalia - Byrnihat line is in progress and is likely to be commissioned by March 2018," Purohit said while addressing the on the opening day of the Budget session of the Assembly.
He said the state now figures on the railway map of the country with the commencement of the train service between Duhnoi-Mendipathar-Gauhati in the North Garo Hills District.
On air connectivity, The Governor said that under the ambit of Regional Connectivity Scheme, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Centre and the State has been signed to encourage private airlines to operate flights from Umroi and Baljek airport to connect other state capitals in the region.
On road connectivity in the state, he said important on-going projects such as construction of 2-lane Jowai Bye- pass under SARDP-NE Phase-A has been completed, which will address the traffic congestion in Jowai town.
He said that the two-laning work of Shillong- Nongstoin-Tura road also under Phase-A of SARDP-NE is 96 per cent completed.
Besides, improvement of NH-40 between Shillong and Dawki (80 km) and construction of Dawki bridge, improvement of NH-62 between Assam-Meghalaya border to Dalu to Baghmara (161km) and two-laning of Tura-Dalu NH-51 (48km) will be taken up under JICA funding.
The Governor also announced that the Taxation department is fully geared up for the smooth implementation of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) in the state.
According to the Governor, this new indirect tax regime will be the most significant indirect tax reform in the country which will merge the two spheres of indirect taxation currently collected under the Central Sales Tax Act.
"The state will, however, retain the taxation power on sale of high speed diesel, motor spirit and alcohol for human consumption and tax collection under MVAT Act is expected to increase by about 15 per cent annually," he said.
The Excise department has also taken steps towards generating more revenue even while complying with the restriction imposed by the Supreme Court on opening of wine shops along the National and State Highways.
"The rate of tax as well as the rate of transport pass fee and import pass fee for IMFL, Beer, Wine has been increased," he said.
Stating that the irrigation potential created has been
doubled between the year 2011 and 2015, the Governor said that efforts are on to ensure that the entire cultivable area in the state gets covered with sustainable irrigation facilities by the year 2022.
With regards to forest and environment, Purohit said that community participation on scientific wildlife management is being encouraged.
The area under the Community Reserves (CRs) has now increased to 4039 hectares (40.39 sq km) comprising of 44 of such CRs, he said.
He also informed that a total six new Community and Rural Development Blocks have been created which include Mawlai and Sohiong in East Khasi Hills, Bhoirymbong in Ri Bhoi, Demdema in West Garo Hills, Rerapara in South West Garo Hills and Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills Districts.
