SHILLONG: The government of Meghalaya is in the process of start a new initiative to enable and facilitate access to remunerative and sustainable markets for farmers produce.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations on August 15 in Polo, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that the new initiative to enable and facilitate access to remunerative and sustainable markets for farmers produce in the most transparent, efficient and effective manner, through the implementation and operation of a logistics and extension facilitation service to be called the Integrated Technology Enables Agri-Management System (iTEAMS) is being initiated by the State Government under the Agri-Horti Mission of the Agriculture Department in convergence with the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA).
He said while the 108 service is an emergency service that saves lives, the iTEAMS is going to be a similar service that will provide logistics and extension services to save the livelihoods of the farmers and this will be the first of its kind farmer empowerment initiative in the entire country.
Education sector
On Education sector, the chief minister said that the Government plans to commence operationalisation of the Williamson Sangma Technical University from the next academic session in a temporary campus at Tura and the infrastructure to house the permanent campus for the same has been sanctioned.
He also informed that the enhanced infrastructure for Sohra and Kiang Nangbah Government College will be provided through RUSA funding.
“One new B. Ed College at Jowai would be made functional soon and up-gradation of the College of Teacher Education at Tura has been taken up,” Sangma said.
Traffic, major challenge
Speaking about traffic, Sangma admitted that traffic congestion in the state capital, Shillong, has been a major challenge while the completion of Shillong Bye-pass has given some relief.
He said that the Mawlai Bye-pass, taken up to ease traffic congestion, is expected to be completed soon.
With increase footfall of tourists, a new alternative route is being created as Shillong-Western Bye-pass connecting Umiam to Nongkrem via Mawlyndep, Mawmih, Ladmawreng, Mylliem.
“This will enable the tourist traffic to visit destinations in Sohra, Mawsynram, Mawlynnong, Dawki, Nongkrem, Laitlum, Mawphanlur, Nongkhnum and other places without having to travel through Shillong. The initiative to widen and upgrade the road to New Shillong is also under process,” the chief minister said.
