Talks on Australian aid :
Exploratory talks for obtaining Australian aid for implementation of sewerage and sanitation project for Shillong were held recently. At a meeting Meghalaya Chief Minister E. K. Mawlong, Australian High Commission First Secretary Gillian Mellsop and the members of AUSAID discussed the matter in details. Besides highlighting some of the important sectors where Australian help and support could be obtained, the Meghalaya side also spoke of the State’s need for resources to support some of the projects being planned to be taken up in the State. While expressing happiness to be in Shillong, Ms. Mellsop said the AUSAID was most keen to extend help for the development projects in the State. She also expressed keenness to work with local institutions, not only as a facilitator, but also as an agent to help the State gain access to funding. She, however, stressed that "we would be most happy to help the people of Shillong help themselves." Other present were Finance Minister and Planning Minister L. A. Sangma.

Report on Umiam Lake presented to Meghalaya CM
A two-volume report on "Study on Siltation and Pollution (from Umkhrah and Umshyrpi stream) of Umiam Reservoir, causes, sources and solution thereof" was handed over to Meghalaya Chief Minister E K Mawlong by Power Minister M N Mukhim. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mawlong thanked the Power Minister and the Power and PHE Department officials for completing the study on siltation and pollution of Umiam lake in a record time. Pointing out that something had to be done to prevent further siltation and pollution of the Umiam reservoir, Mr. Mawlong said the reservoir, which was constructed in 1965 with the primary objective of storing water for generating power had to be beautified. He also stressed that attempts should be made to make the landscape around Umiam lake pleasant to the eyes so that it could become a tourist spot. Stating that high siltation and pollution of the Umiam lake was a concern for one and all, Mr. Mawlong hoped that with the completion of the project further damage to the reservoir could be prevented.

Special excise incentives lure cigarette units to North East
Major cigarette manufacturers have set up units in the North-Eastern States to avail of special incentives relating to Central excise duties. All major companies like ITC, Golden Tobacco, Godfrey Philips and VST Industries, had set up manufacturing units under the small scale sector in the notified areas in the north-eastern States, particularly in Assam, a Central Excise official informed. Since July 1999, the official said, after the announcement of the scheme, nearly 14 such units belonging to various companies had begun operations, each employing around 45 to 50 people. Lured by the scheme, cigarette firms started queuing up in the North-Eastern States to avail of excise duty refund as announced by the Centre. Units located in these areas were entitled to claim for refund, and the scheme was initiated to promote industry in these States, in addition to generation of employment, the official said. Central excise being the major revenue outgo for the tobacco firms, the scheme proved to be beneficial and was helping the companies to improve their bottomlines. Recently, the Assam Government had asked the companies to set up non-tobacco manufacturing units with a view to creating employment in the State.