SHILLONG, Dec 4: The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has picked holes in the state government’s much-talked-about FOCUS programme, alleging that the scheme’s prime agenda is to further the political interest of “some” political party.
The state BJP’s allegations come at a time when Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has been visiting different parts of the state to distribute funds among beneficiaries of various government schemes, including FOCUS and FOCUS+.
Addressing the inaugural programme for the party office at Khliehmuchut, Shangpung, West Jaintia Hills, on Saturday, state BJP president Ernest Mawrie said that the FOCUS programme will not bring any development whatsoever.
Alleging that the scheme’s prime agenda is to further the political interest of “some” political party, he said, “I will request the people not to fall prey to such a programme. The money which they are receiving is only the loan which the government has taken from the central agencies.”
Mawrie, however, said that it is only the BJP-led government at the Centre that has been coming up with scores of welfare programmes.
BJP MLA Sanbor Shullai, who was also part of the programme, said that the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been working tirelessly for the development of the country.
He said the people should repose their faith in the saffron party for a better future of the state.
Others who were part of the programme include party candidate from Shangpung- Raliang Lahkhoh Biam, BJP in-charge of Manipur Sumita Laloo and BJP state mahila president Judy Surong, etc.
It may be mentioned that FOCUS, launched in March 2021 by the state government, aims to upscale farming activities by providing financial assistance to producer groups in Meghalaya.
Earlier, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma had attacked the MDA Government over FOCUS programme by questioning the government about the funds associated with the scheme.
“We have brought money in through developing the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion programme. We wanted to build entrepreneurship by obtaining partners in this scheme. The FOCUS scheme is part of the same scheme. I want to ask the MDA government where did the money go?” Mukul had said.
