SHILLONG: Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan has asked the people of the state to avail the benefits of central schemes.
“The Centre spends lakhs and crores of rupees for several projects for the benefit of the people and they should come forward and avail these benefits,” the Governor said, while addressing the gathering at Smit on the first day of three-day Public Information Campaign on Thursday, organized by the Press Information Bureau and other Central Media units like AIR, DDK, DFP, DAVP and Song and Drama division in collaboration with the District Administration of East Khasi Hills district
The Governor informed the public about the various schemes like Make in India, Digital India, Smart City, Indra Dhanush, Stand up India and Start-up India aimed at empowering the people especially the youths to become entrepreneurs and contribute to the economic growth of the nation.
The Governor further said that that with the growth and development of the Northeast region being a top priority, the Centre is bringing the golden era to the region in the name of ‘Act East Policy’ instead of ‘Look East Policy’.
“The various schemes and unique programmes which are aimed at enhancing the livelihood of the common people are launched and the brought to the state with a broad mind. The golden era should come to the region,” said the Governor adding that the Centre is focusing all development activities towards the Northeast in as far as health care sector, communication, roads and transport,infrastructure, connectivity are concerned. “All the Northeastern states should benefit from government schemes”, Shanmuganathan said adding that the region draws maximum attention from central government even as he mentioned that if Northeast is not developed then India cannot be developed.
He further added that the people should play their role in ensuring the growth and development of the region by visiting the government departments and collect the required information to take advantage of the various schemes.
The Governor said that as 60 percent of the people in the state depend on agriculture, it is y important for the farming communities to avail the benefits of the government
He, however, expressed concern over high Infant mortality rate, which according to him poses a challenge to the government.
In this context, he said that there are various schemes which could help ease the burden of the affected people.
“It’s up to the people to go to the nearby health care service centers to take advantage of the available schemes,” he said. Local MLA, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar, and chieftain of Hima Khyrim Balajied Sing Syiem also spoke on the ocassion among others.
Various stalls were put up by State and Central government departments for display for public information, providing an opportunity to the public to throw queries and gather the needed information. A free medical check- up was also organized during the 3-day function.
