SHILLONG: The Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister Thomas A Sangma on Thursday received the India Today – ‘The State of the States’ award on behalf of the State Government at Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi.
Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu conferred the award to Sangma in the presence of union ministers, chief ministers and ministers from different parts of the country.
Sangma who accepted the award on behalf of the state and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said: “It is an honour for the people of Meghalaya.” Meghalaya was also adjudged the ‘most improved small state’ in the agricultural category.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma thanked India Today for undertaking the type of studies which would allow the government to further strategise initiatives for the betterment of agriculture infrastructure and allied sector for the overall economic growth of the state.
“We have laid adequate thrust on improving agriculture in Meghalaya and such award will further motivate our officials and the farmers to take a quantum leap to ensure innovative and sustainable farming practices,” he said.
The annual India Today ‘The State of the States’ study is an attempt to find out which states offer its citizens the best opportunities. Further, the study tracks each state’s performance and records the changes made over a period of five years taking into account both the business environment and the quality of life.