CM downplays immediate benefits under MBDA

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma informed the Assembly on Wednesday that the initiatives under Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) which are currently underway, has helped the beneficiaries to some extent.
The Chief Minister said that the figure on how many people were self-employed under the initiatives is not currently available.
In reply to a question raised by Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP), the Chief Minister said that out of the 1. 2 lakh entrepreneurs registered, 35,246 were trained in different sectors. However, raising a supplementary question, Basaiawmoit wanted to know whether the entrepreneurs are linked to financial institutions for the viability of the projects they undertake. The Chief Minister said that to some extent this was done and added that it is the endeavor of the government to promote skill development under various mission mode interventions to take up livestock, sericulture, apiculture and aquaculture among others To  a supplementary question, the Chief Minister said that a white paper on the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme was published under title ‘Reports to Citizens’. Jemino Mawthoh (UDP) wanted to know what extent poverty was reduced following the implementation MBDA. According to Chief Minister, the programme of the government is aimed at providing a platform to act as a catalyst so that various departments can address the issue of poverty.
The Chief Minister said the target is 50th year of the statehood as the state is aiming to achieve tangible result of reducing poverty with ambitious agenda at that point of time though it is an uphill task. To questions by Paul Lyngdoh (UDP) and Saleng Sangma (Independent), the Chief Minister said that the programme is linked with IFAD funded 115 million dollar external aid to set up marketing facilities.