Shillong: The Meghalaya government on Wednesday told the Assembly that it is intensifying measures to curb the spread of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) even as projects under the Smart City Mission continue to make headway.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed that 236 JE cases were reported over the past two years, with 89 in 2023-24 and 147 in 2024-25. She stressed that vaccination remains the most effective prevention strategy.
“The JE vaccine is part of the universal immunisation programme for children aged 9 to 11 months and 16 to 23 months. The government is working to increase coverage and dispel misconceptions,” she said.
Lyngdoh noted that Garo Hills districts, with vaccination rates between 80 and 95 per cent, have recorded significantly fewer cases than Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
Coverage in East Garo Hills stands at 80 per cent, North Garo Hills 84 per cent, South Garo Hills 92 per cent, South West Garo Hills 93 per cent and West Garo Hills 95 per cent.
By comparison, East Khasi Hills reported 71 per cent and Ri-Bhoi 82 per cent.
On the Smart City Mission, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said physical progress reached 77.81 per cent as of July.
While the initial phase prioritised commercial complexes, he assured that the next phase would broaden the scope to other vital projects.
Dhar also pointed to open-air gyms being installed across Shillong, including at the Governor’s House, Mawprem and Laitumkhrah, at a cost of Rs. 5 crore.
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Referring to the Polo commercial complex, inaugurated recently by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Dhar said operationalisation is underway with 109 shops.
Responding to Opposition leader Mukul Sangma’s demand for details on audits and salary withdrawals by the Smart City CEO, he confirmed an audit was carried out but sought more time to provide salary particulars.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma added that the government is now considering floor-wise or shop-wise allotment of stalls after an earlier tender for the entire complex failed to attract bidders.
On outsourcing the complex’s management, he said due process was followed to maximise revenue, while assuring that parallel initiatives are in place to address employment concerns.
