SHILLONG/ MAWKYRWAT, July 28: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has said that Meghalaya has earned the reputation of being one of the top-performing states in terms of implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) while maintaining that the hill state, which is home to a minuscule population, has received more allocation when compared to the likes of Assam.
The juxtaposition by the chief minister comes at a time when an air of hostility continues to environ the bordering areas of Meghalaya and Assam.
Conrad was speaking at an inaugural function of footbridge over Rilang River on Wednesday during his tour to South West Khasi Hills.
“We have a population of 30 lakh and Assam has over three crore population. However, our spending has been better, so we were accorded higher allocation. Our per capita spending is close to Rs 17,000 in wage component per beneficiaries,” Conrad said.
It may be mentioned that the construction of 53-metre footbridge was collectively taken up by three VECs — Nongbah, Marshillong and Jashiar — and was completed in a span of three months.
The chief minister, who was accompanied by PHE Minister Renikton Tongkhar, also inaugurated the functional household tap connections under Jal Jeevan Mission (JMM) at Mawsde village.
Conrad also held interactions with the producers group under PRIME Meghalaya at Mawkyrwat DC office campus.
During the interaction, the chief minister expressed the state government’s commitment towards leveraging farming activities by extending financial support.
Conrad suggested the farmers to work in tandem and increase their productivity, which, he said, will enable them to sell their produce in a more effective manner.
During the programme, he also handed over cheques to 15 different groups, who came together to form the producers group for upscaling their farming activities and doubling their income.
Later on, the chief minister inspected houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Govt’s contemplation
Furthermore, the chief minister, during his visit, informed the people that the state government is contemplating turning the Mawphlang-Mawkyrwat road into an intermediate lane, where the road will be broadened.
Speaking at a programme at the multipurpose hall in Mawkyrwat, Conrad said, “At first, the government had sanctioned some money for basic repair of the road but now we are working towards turning it into an intermediate lane by broadening the road as well as making it brand-new.”
“We have already pushed it (Mawphlang-Mawkyrwat road) as a national highway, but it is yet to be approved by the Government of India. While the approval may take time, the honorable MLA (Renikton L. Tongkhar) has suggested that the state may take this up,” he added.