Shillong, Feb 26: Meghalaya Arts and Culture Minister, Sanbor Shullai, on Friday informed that the state government has rejected the proposal for allocating 50 acres of land for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at the New Shillong Township (NST).
After chairing a meeting held with the officials of the CRPF and the Home department to discuss on the relocation of the CRPF camp from Mawlai to NST, Shullai told reporters that at present the CRPF is occupying about 2.86 acres of land which belong to the Arts and Culture and Tribal Research Institute in Mawlai.
He said the department has asked the CRPF to permanently relocate its base within one year of sanctioning of land at Mawdiangdiang under the NST adding in view of this, the CRPF has requested the state government to allocate 50 acres of land.
“However, I have firmly rejected the proposal and now the department will only allot 3 acres of land under the Meghalaya state police for utilization by the CRPF,” Shullai said.
He said the department’s decision to reject the proposal was on the ground that there are various state departments, which are still running their offices on rental basis.
He added that the aim and objective of the government for buying the land at NST is for consumption of offices and quarters of various departments.
“So the CRPF will not be given 50 acres of land free of cost but the department will only sanction 3 acres of land in the name of Meghalaya state police. We will give 3 acres to the CRPF plus 2 acres for the state police but we need to take up the matter with the urban affairs department or MUDA before we finalise any decision on this matter,” he added.