TURA/BAGHMARA, Feb 10: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday said the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has accorded top priority to the development of the neglected regions of the state.
He said that the MDA government, in the last four years, has initiated various welfare and infrastructure projects in South Garo Hills to accelerate the development of the neglected region.
Addressing a gathering at Baghmara, he said that the construction of Captain Williamson Sangma Memorial College at a cost of Rs12 crore will create better higher education facilities in South Garo Hills.
The CM told the gathering about the Baghmara Water Supply Scheme project and various road projects that are going on to ensure internal connectivity and rural connectivity in the district.
Sangma also interacted with producers groups at Baghmara and distributed financial assistance amounting to Rs 1.1 crore to 166 producers groups.
He urged the public to avail benefits of FOCUS programme and other financial assistance that are being provided by the state government. He said that interest-free loans are being provided by the government to ensure that livelihoods of our farmers are upscaled.
“My government’s vision is to double the income of our farmers,” Conrad said.
With 4.5 lakh families dependent on agriculture in the state, FOCUS scheme is a unique programme of the state government that brings direct benefits to farmers especially those affected by COVID-19, he said, adding that he scheme will ensure that farmers are able to enhance their productivity, avail benefits of credit linkages and strengthen access to markets.
The chief minister informed that his government is supporting 1.77 lakh senior citizens, persons with disabilities and single mothers across the state through the CM’s Social Assistance Programme and National Social Assistance Programme.
MLA of Siju, Rongara Rakkam Sangma, also lauded the efforts of government for fast-tracking development in South Garo Hills.
CM told to bring devp
to SGH village
Meanwhile, the GSU from Karukol in South Garo Hills has petitioned the chief minister for various developmental activities for Nengkong area.
In a memorandum to Conrad, the union, among others, sought the development of the healthcare sector for the area, pointing out that Nengkong village has only one PHC.
The GSU also said that while the PHC has been catering to the large population from the area, it was lacking in many facilities and is being run by a single nurse. It also sought the upgrade of the PHC with increased beds equipped with an ambulance and a pharmacy.
Reminding the chief minister that the area is home to popular tourist spots like, Te’teng Cave, Tiger Cave, Dikkakol, Balwakol, Hot Springs etc, the GSU also sought government assistance for their development. The GSU maintained that such a move can boost tourism and raise the standard of living of the people.
The Union also sought the construction of new roads and RCC bridges from Nengkong market to Chibegre and Jantagre villages and from Nengkong to Te’teng Cave, construction of a mini stadium at Nengkong Deficit UP School, and the setting up of a police outpost in the area.
Meanwhile, a separate memorandum seeking the improvement of the PMGSY roads in and around Nengkong village was also dispatched to the chief minister by the locals.
In the memorandum, the locals alleged that the Karukol-Nengkong-Emangre PMGSY road which is being constructed by MP Agarwala Pvt. Ltd does not meet certain requirements as per the guidelines of the PMGSY-II.
They alleged the lack of proper wing wall for culverts, walls to safeguard the newly constructed road from landslides and a drainage system.