From Our Correspondent
TURA: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Monday paid a whirlwind visit to Chokpot C & RD Block in South Garo Hills district which happens to be one of the most neglected blocks in Garo Hills. This was his first official visit to Chokpot as Chief Minister.
During his visit there the Chief Minister inaugurated an RCC bridge and a suspended foot bridge constructed at Balwatgre and over Gop River at Gopgre respectively. He also laid the foundation stone for another RCC bridge to be constructed at Gongglangre and released two water tankers for the benefit of residents of the area.
The bridges were constructed under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) and Border Area Development Programme (BADP).
Addressing the gathering Dr Sangma said that it was the job of the government to acknowledge and fulfill the aims and aspirations of the people. He stated that the social sector, namely education and health in rural areas of the region needed to be looked into so as to formulate a sustained development in the particular sectors.
Speaking on urban migration by students Dr Sangma informed that that the government was establishing residential schools in all the blocks of the State to mitigate and reverse the trend of students migrating to cities to pursue higher education.
Dr Sangma, while stressing on the need for sustainable development laid emphasis on the State Government’s flagship programme the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme (IBDLP).
He informed that the IBDLP was a landmark programme of the Government of Meghalaya to promote optimal and effective development and utilization of basin resources for ensuring livelihood security and inclusive growth within a sustainable framework.
The programme aims at creating livelihood opportunities by developing a robust and viable institutional network for optimal and effective management of natural resources with particular emphasis on horticulture, agriculture, sericulture, aquaculture, tourism, forestry and livestock.
Lamenting the unsatisfactory performance of students of Garo Hills in the SSLC examinations during the last three years, Dr Sangma said that a special coaching scheme for the benefit of students appearing for their matriculation examination has been put in place by the government.
He informed that any NGO or educational institution wanting to coach students undergoing matriculation could avail of the scheme by directly contacting the concerned Deputy Commissioner who will release the necessary funds.
Stressing on the need for trained human resource, Dr Sangma said that a Multi Facility Centre to facilitate training of trainers will be soon established at Chokpot. Trainers from Coimbatore, Kerala will be brought for optimal training of trainers, Dr Sangma added.
The Chief Minister’s entourage included C & RD Minister Saleng A Sangma, Parliamentary Secretaries Samuel Sangma and Francis Pondit R Sangma, GHADC CEM PK Sangma, GHADC Deputy CEM Brigady N Marak and GHADC Chairman Alphonse A Sangma among others.
Among others present at the gathering were South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner RP Marak, Additional Deputy Commissioner David D Sangma and South Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Davis Nestle R Marak.