SHILLONG, Jan 2: The ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) drew up its success stories of the past five years.
The government claimed its various initiatives helped cross-sections of the society.
While implementing the MGNREGA scheme, it said it not only consistently increased funds utilisation and expenditure but also utilised the scheme to build quality assets and reached out to the neediest among the rural population.
During 2018-22, the expenditure was Rs 4,500 crore compared to Rs 2,500 crore in the preceding four years. This essentially means an annual amount of over Rs 16,600 was transferred to every household on an average. It was Rs 9,000 during the time of previous government.
Unconditional grant of Rs 5,000 was transferred to the bank account of every producers’ group to undertake agriculture-related activities. FOCUS scheme drew a phenomenal response from the farmers. It benefitted more than 2.7 lakh of them, the government said.
Encouraged by its success, the government conceptualised FOCUS+ scheme and transferred an additional grant of Rs 5,000 to their bank accounts. Along with the grants, an elaborate system was created to impart training to farmers on better farming practices and marketing. They were also provided with logistical support.
Local products like Lakadong Turmeric, ginger, pineapple and pepper are globally known for their quality. Imported products such as honey, milk, pork etc are also of high demand in the state. To improve local production and facilitate marketing, the Mission Mode Project was initialized.
Through PROGRESS scheme, the government is providing high-yielding variety of piglets and kuroiler birds to the farmers. A budget of Rs 40 crore for piglets and Rs 1 crore for poultry birds is being distributed. Three female and one male high-yielding piglets are being distributed to over 16,000 beneficiaries.
The government said one of its priorities was to care, support and empower women. The SHG movement, supported by National Rural Livelihood Mission, immensely benefitted more than 4 lakh women and their families. Currently, 36,000 SHGs are operational in the state, compared to 5,800 in 2018.
Women’s participation in leadership roles had been very limited in Meghalaya. The MDA is the first government to take an initiative in reserving at least 50% of seats for women in Village Employment Councils (VECs). The seats for secretary would be reserved on rotational basis.
To the elderly, especially the disabled citizens and single mothers, the annual welfare assistance was increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 from October, 2022. Now, 1.77 lakh beneficiaries are getting the additional benefit through the CM-CARE scheme.
Access to affordable healthcare services was stressed upon through increased health insurance coverage. From Rs 2.8 lakh health insurance coverage in 2019, the insurance coverage has been increased to Rs 5.3 lakh under Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS).
The government is now leveraging upon technology to improve health facilities. A project to deliver medicines to the remotest locations using drones was launched. The drones have been able to deliver medicines in 30 minutes instead of 3 hours through traditional routes.
Under MOTHER programme, over two lakh mothers are supported through care and treatment. Eighty transit homes are operational to take care of mothers. Some 150 vehicles are being used to transport them to these transit homes.
Institutional delivery in the state has now reached all-time high of 64% (last year) from 46% in 2018.
The ASHA workers suffered with issues such as delayed payments and lack of funds earlier when the government would release Rs 18 for their salaries. However, in the past three years, the MDA released Rs 80 crore. Through the “ASHA First” portal, ASHA workers now get timely payments. The incentive for Anganwadi workers has also been increased.
The government’s interventions for the improvement of child health yielded great results. The state has been able to complete 91% immunization for children. Maternal deaths have reduced by 9% and infant deaths by 21%. Meghalaya is now ranked the third best state in child immunization.
The MDA took steps for the improvement and upgradation of 2000 schools, of which 200 have already been upgraded. Twenty-nine EMRS schools are being established to improve the education infrastructure and accessibility. Twelve Peoples colleges were set up.
The government said it resolved long-pending issues with teachers’ salaries and revised payment structure. The gross enrollment ratio of the state also improved to be among the top 10 states.
With an eye on the youth and considering that 30% of the state’s population is young, the government formulated the State Youth Policy in 2021. It was designed to support the youth to be able to compete with the fast-changing globalized world.
The government launched the ASPIRE Program to provide life skill-based training. It was aimed at nurturing critical thinking, soft skills, life skills and communication skills among the youth. To this date, over 20,000 of them have been trained.
The State Talent Identification Program was initiated to identify and train raw grassroots talents from the field of instrumental music to contemporary song, theatre, body sport, visual arts and wood carving. Altogether 348 talents were identified and 36 best talents were awarded.
To facilitate employment, the government had launched the Skills Meghalaya Program. It intends to cover 1.2 lakh youth in the next five years under the three domains of skilling, livelihood, and entrepreneurship. It will include recent dropouts, unemployed adults, persons seeking certification of their skills acquired informally, and persons seeking skill upgradation.
There was no support for entrepreneurs over the time when start-up dreams never left the drawing board. The MDA launched PRIME was to address this issue by creating a conducive environment for budding entrepreneurs to become job providers from job seekers.
With the inauguration of the Shillong IT Park, the government was able to create over 1500 new jobs in the IT sector and the success has now led to Phase 2 to add more 4000 jobs.
The Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project has been another success story. It was launched to carry forward the musical legacy of the state and provide a platform to young talents.
To promote sporting culture, the MDA government commenced the construction of 318 grassroots infrastructure along with stadiums across the state.
Iconic sports infrastructures like the PA Sangma Integrated Sports Complex in Tura, JN Sports Complex in Shillong and Wahiajer Multi Sports Complex in West Jaintia Hills with state-of-the-art facilities are being constructed.
The Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture has been already inaugurated. The Rs 151-crore project is aimed at transforming Shillong into a cultural hub. Another such convention center has been envisioned at Tura with an estimated budget of Rs 56 crore.
State Talent Identification Program was launched to identify the hidden grassroots talent by testing them with international standard equipment and testing criteria from teams based out of the UK and Australia. Over 200 such talents have been identified who fall under the elite and super elite category of the Olympics. They never had any past training, guidance or equipment. They will be provided with special training of international standards so that they can hone their talent and bring accolades to the state.
