Ampati: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday announced that all the six new C&RD blocks would start functioning from April 1.
Sangma made the announcement while addressing the gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Damalgre Community & Rural Development Block at Rerapara in South West Garo Hills.
The Chief Minister in his Budget speech in the last Assembly Session had announced the creation of four new blocks — Mawlai in East Khasi Hills, Bhoirymbong in Ri Bhoi, Demdema in West Garo Hills and Rerapara, South West Garo Hills. Subsequently on public demand, the Government decided to create two additional blocks — Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills and Sohiong in East Khasi Hills.
Others attending the function were Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma and C&RD Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar as guests of honour, besides a host of other dignitaries, including Parliamentary Secretaries Limison Sangma, Noverfield Marak and Brigady N. Marak.
There are 39 existing blocks in the State. Damalgre C&RD Block will be the 40th block and 149 villages which were earlier under Betasing, Rongram and Selsella blocks will now be covered under the new block.
The Nokma of Rerapara A’king has donated the land for the new block headquarters.
“The creation of these new blocks was a fulfilment of the promises made to the people,” said the Nokma and added that the government in its new approach to development was working hard to correct all the wrongs of the past that had delayed the momentum of growth in the State. On the delay in setting up of Tura Medical College, the foundation for which was laid at Balalgre in 2013, the Chief Minister said since the land at Balalgre falls beyond 10 km from Tura Civil Hospital, it has posed hurdles and the government is looking for a new area which would be notified soon.
Though the Centre had approved setting up of medical colleges in Tura and Shillong during the tenure of Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad the new guidelines have posed a problem in going ahead with the project.
“The land at Balalgre will now be used for setting up of Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University and College of Architecture and Urban Planning, which would be one of the finest colleges in the North East,” he added.
Sangma also appealed to the public to be generous in providing land to the Government so that development schemes can be initiated.
The Chief Minister also reminded the gathering of their responsibility to partner with the government in the developmental process rather than creating differences and hampering the momentum of growth. He also reiterated the commitment of his government for creation of more sub-divisions, police stations, setting up of medical and engineering colleges, thereby creating more job opportunities for the youth.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma in his address hailed the “bold decision” of the government to create new blocks which would bring administration closer to the people. Deputy Commissioner of South West Garo Hills CVD Diengdoh also spoke on the occasion and Director of C&RD I.R Sangma read out the government notification declaring Damalgre as the new C&RD Block with its headquarters at Rerapara.
One of the members of the Block Demand Steering Committee also handed over a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the occasion.
