"Attempts made by insurgents, operating from neighbouring states as well as from across the international border with Bangladesh and Myanmar, to disturb our hard-earned peace have been dealt with effectively and efficiently by the law-enforcement agencies," he said, adding that the sanction by New Delhi to raise an additional India Reserve (IR) police battalion would go a long way in strengthening the police force in the State.

"There has also been improvement in the financial position of the State. Meghalaya has not even availed of ways and means advance since July, 2000. This significant improvement is mainly due to release of peace bonus of Rs. 182.45 crore by the Government of India and also due to release of funds on the basis of the recommendations of the Eleventh Finance Commission," the Governor said, adding that his government was grateful to the Centre for writing off the Union Territory period loan of Rs 37.93 crore which has been lying outstanding against the State.

According to the Governor, the Planning Commission has approved an allocation of Rs. 401.26 crore for the Annual Plan 2000-01, which was apart from the additional funds the State Government continued to receive from the non-lapsable pool of Central resources for implementing various projects in the State.

Mr. Marwah said his government had assigned priority to the development of border trade and sincere efforts were being made towards development of border trade facilities at Tlabung on the Indo-Bangladesh border and at Zokhawthar on the Indo-Myanmar border.

"The Government of India has also supported our endeavour by initially providing Rs. 1.84 crore and Rs. two crore respectively for Tlabung and Zokhawthar. It is envisaged that these facilities will provide avenues for marketing agro-forest and other products of the State across the international border," he added.

Being keenly aware of the potential and the vital role that development of industries can play for rapid economic development and for providing employment opportunities to the people, a new Industrial Policy, 2000 was recently approved. A new information technology (IT) policy and bamboo policy are also on the anvil. "Recently, the Planning Commission had released Rs. 100 crore as first instalment for development of bamboo processing unit at Sairang," the Governor informed.

The Centre has provided Rs. 2.54 crore out of the approved outlay of Rs. 15 crore for the industrial growth centre at Lauangmual. Detailed project report for setting up an export promotion industrial park at Lengte with 100 per cent Central assistance was under preparation, Mr. Marwah said during his address.