NONGSTOIN: Meghalaya home minister, James K Sangma completed his two-day review of implementation of development projects here on Wednesday.
Sangma was accompanied by Nongstoin MLA, Macmillan Byrsat, Mawshynrut MLA, Gigur Marthong and Rambrai Jyrngam MLA, Kimfa Marbaniang along with deputy commissioner in-charge, West Khasi Hills, K.L.Nongbri, superintendent of police, S.Kharwanlang, officials from the PHED, PWD (B) and others.
The home minister inspected the Civil Hospital, Nongstoin District Jail, Nongstoin Urban Water Supply Scheme and the Nongkhnum River Island during the visit.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Sangma said his visit to the West Khasi Hills district headquarters was a part of the innovation programme of the MDA government which mandates cabinet ministers to visit each district every three months for inspection of development projects.
He also said that his main purpose of visiting Nongstoin was to take stock of the things that needed to be done and move the finance department for the requisite funds.
“Yesterday, we had a review meeting on all the central sponsored schemes and state schemes being implemented and the idea is to ascertain the constraints faced by the departments and submit the report accordingly to the chief minister,” Sangma said.
The minister said that he could gauge from the visit that there were issues which if taken up in the right way could be resolved. “There are projects where a huge amount has already been spent. So we are taking these issues into account before we prepare a ground report to the chief minister,” he said.
He expressed concern at the pending construction work at Nongstoin District Jail, which despite being an asset, is lying unutilised.
“We will take a call on this matter soon. The Shillong Jail is getting overcrowded and so it is imperative that we get the Nongstoin jail operational as soon as possible. It is not right to keep inmates in a prison beyond its capacity,” Sangma said.
