Base laid for girls’, boys’ hostels at Tura
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday launched the CM’s Wedding Assistance Scheme for Orphan Girls and also distributed cheques to the beneficiaries of the CM’s Social Assistance Scheme at an impressive function organized by the Social Welfare department at the Chandmari Playground here.
The Wedding Assistance Scheme for poor orphan girls above 18 years is being implemented by the department in all districts in the State and forms will be available for the deserving beneficiaries in all district offices as well as the Child Development Project offices in all the C&RD Blocks.
The Chief Minister also simultaneously inaugurated the Children’s Home for Girls located in Tetengkol and laid foundation stones for construction of a Tribal Girls’ Hostel under the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, a Hajong Boys’ Hostel and a Koch Boys’ Hostel, all at Tura.
The Children’s Home will be run by the Women’s Economic Development Society (WEDS), a Church-based NGO, in partnership with the State Government.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed happiness at being able to start the scheme for the poor orphan girls so that they can get married and start families of their own.
Regarding the CM’s Social Assistance Scheme for the Infirm, Single Mothers and Persons with Disabilities, he said that although the Scheme was launched way back in 2012, it was found that many deserving persons had not availed the benefit; so enrollment drives were carried out extensively throughout the State after which there has been a huge increase in the number of applicants.
He added that that this scheme is a testimony that the Government is with them.
The Chief Minister observed that most rural areas do not have institutions for higher studies, so the parents send their children to district capitals for their higher education, but when they don’t have hostels to stay it becomes a problem for them. In this regard the Government has decided to have hostels in every district capital and partner with interested NGOs to manage these hostels.
Parliamentary Secretary for C&RD, Noverfield R. Marak, GHADC Chairman, P.K. Sangma and other MDCs, former minister M.D. Shira, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi, and Director of Social Welfare, H.M. Shangpliang also attended the function, amongst others and distributed the assistance to the beneficiaries along with the Chief Minister.
Expressing dismay over the poor service delivery by government- run institutions and hospitals, the Chief Minister said that the government is re-strategizing its approach to development and delivery system and informed that the government has decided to pass new laws in the coming Assembly – the Service Delivery Act and Social Policy Act.
Under this, concurrent assessment of every developmental programme will be done, he said.
Calling upon the social organizations to come forward and partner with the Government in the management of hostels, schools and hospitals, the Chief Minister added said that the social sector will never thrive unless all the people of the society come and work together.
Earlier, the Chief Minister along with other dignitaries released a pair of pigeons and balloons to mark the occasion.