SHILLONG, Aug 16: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday outlined his government’s vision for the next five years detailing the growth drivers, enablers, and foundations.
He said the country is on the verge of becoming the world’s third-largest economy with $5 trillion in the next five years.
“In resonance with that prediction, the government of Meghalaya has set a target of making the state a $10 billion economy by 2028, thereby doubling our GDP. The 2023-28 period would be a watershed time for our state. Together, we will consolidate the good work of the last five years and redouble our efforts to build a model hill state in governance, ease of living and citizen happiness – a Magnificent Meghalaya,” Sangma said.
According to him, border trade is an important component of the state’s aspiration to double the economy to $10 billion.
He said the state government is working with the Centre to strengthen the border infrastructure including border haats, land customs stations and integrated checkpoints. The government is also engaging with various stakeholders, including business heads to promote regional economic integration and connectivity, he added.
“The construction of the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge has already started. The proposal for a strategic road connecting Mahendraganj in Meghalaya and Hili in West Bengal via Bangladesh is under consideration,” Sangma said.
Asserting that maintenance of law and order is the foundation for all economic and social activities, he stated that Meghalaya has been by and large peaceful. The formal peace talks among the HNLC, the Centre and the state government are making steady progress, he claimed.
“I urge all citizens and organisations to continue to collaborate with the government in preserving peace and harmony in our beautiful state,” he said.
Sangma also said that the state government signed a historic memorandum of understanding with Assam in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah as a first step towards resolving the interstate boundary dispute.
“Our government is committed to resolving the dispute in the remaining six areas of difference: Langpih, Borduar, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Desh Doomreah, Block 1 and Block 2, and Psiar-Khanduli. The Regional Committees constituted for these six areas of difference have already conducted multiple meetings and have met their Assam counterparts to take the talks forward,” he said.
Pointing out that the strength of the state today is youth, he said 72% of the population is below the age of 35 years and about 165 young Meghalayans are entering the workforce every day.
“It is my foremost responsibility to greet these youth with opportunities for employment and empowerment. We have set a target of creating at least 5 lakh employment opportunities in the next five years,” Sangma said.
He further said the government would continue to strengthen the primary sector of the economy comprising agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, sericulture, and fisheries.
He asserted there is a potential to create up to 3 lakh employment opportunities in the primary sector alone.
“My government remains committed to securing the future of every citizen of the state. We will make every effort to double the state’s GDP and to create 5 lakh job opportunities. We will strengthen the implementation of the government of India programmes and various 16 externally-aided projects,” he stated. Claiming that programmes such as the Piggery Mission, Aquaculture Mission and Milk Mission have been successful, he said the successful implementation of these programmes has substantially increased meat production.
‘But the state still has a shortage of 9,000 metric tonnes of pork, 6,000 metric tonnes of chicken, 16,000 metric tonnes of beef and 20,000 metric tonnes of fish. The government is finalising a comprehensive blueprint for making the state self-sufficient in meat and fish production. This will create employment opportunities, improve nutrition, and contribute to economic growth,” the chief minister said.
He informed the gathering that a plan for the redevelopment of about 100 acres of government land for expanding roads, footpaths, building green spaces, markets, parking lots, and effluent treatment plants is being finalised for Shillong.
“We also introduced a shared school bus system, which should ease the challenges faced by children and parents and reduce traffic congestion during peak hours. A plan for treatment of legacy waste at Marten landfill in East Khasi Hills is finalised and I expect this process to be completed in the next 2-3 years,” he said.
The chief minister also said the first phase of construction for the New Shillong City project at Umsawli and Mawdiangdiang would start in the next six months. The work includes the new secretariat building, a unity mall, and sports infrastructure.
Sangma also said the work on the mini secretariat complex at Tura would begin soon. All these interventions would increase the overall ease of living for the urban residents and lead to a boom in the services sector, he said.
