Conrad prefers ‘sister’ to taking help from Centre

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has mooted a “sister state” concept under which the state government is looking to share ideas and best practices with a bigger state.
The government came up with the idea under its 100 -days programme unveiled on the occasion of the 47th Statehood Day on Monday.
Talking to media persons here, Conrad said that the idea has been mooted since a lot of the states in the North East always knock on the central government’s doors for assistance.
“I strongly feel that there are lots of other states with whom we can combine …we are starting and taking this initiative to tie up with one of the bigger states in the country.,” the Chief Minister said.
Under the proposal, Meghalaya could look for partnership with one of the bigger states like Gujarat, Telangana or Maharashtra as these states have their own resources and advantages whereas Meghalaya had good practices.
“A platform could be created where these things could be shared with each other,” Sangma said.
Citing an example, he said that if Meghalaya decides to have a sister- state relationship with Telengana, it can look at the entire IT industry of the latter.
“They can actually look at Meghalaya as the second hub and the government can say if you can’t do it here do it in our sister state Meghalaya. Entire conferences of IT could be held here and entire human resources of the BPO requirement could be taken from Meghalaya,” Sangma said.
According to Conrad, Meghalaya’s social audit system has been appreciated by many and they want to follow the state’s model.
“This trend will be positive and also has a positive aspect from the integration point of view. Cultural and student exchanges will happen. We are always looking to tie up with countries abroad which is good but this is something which is easier to do and it is at home,” the chief minister said.
He said the government would be able to complete the process of selecting and talking to the proposed sister state followed by drawing up of the MOU within 100 days.