New Delhi

Spotlight on Meghalaya at Fair

NEW DELHI: A seminar on Meghalaya was organised at the ongoing India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan here on Monday to dispel the notion that the North-East State is not industry-friendly.

Titled “Investment in Industries -- For a progressive Meghalaya”, the seminar was attended by representatives of various industrial houses.

In his keynote address, Meghalaya Chief Secretary R. Chatterjee said people normally attribute the absence of industries in the North-East to the prevailing law and order situation there. “Let me assure you that Meghalaya has an excellent track record. Shops and establishments in Shillong are open till 10 p.m., people stroll on the streets till midnight, and women walk from their offices to home at late hours. This makes me conclude that the law and order situation in our State is normal.”

Pointing out that the State has excellent connectivity facility, the Chief Secretary said choppers were available from Guwahati airport to Shillong. “This facility can be availed of not only by Government employees but also by other people.”Stating that Meghalaya had set up a road-map to become a power surplus State from a power deficit one, hesaid: “In 1997, the State had a power surplus before industries had come into full force. Now we are encouraging industrial houses investing in our State to set up captive power plants so that surplus power can be given to the power grid. In the next four years, we will supply surplus power to the National Grid.”

Informing that the State produced 90,000 metric tonnes of pineapple this past year, the Chief Secretary said only 25 per cent of the production could be supplied to the buyers, while the rest of 75 per cent was a distress sale.

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