Minister acknowledges lack of resources in border areas

SHILLONG, Jan 12: Border areas in Meghalaya, whether along the international boundary with Bangladesh or the interstate border with Assam, remain deprived of basic amenities, underscoring a longstanding issue in these sensitive and remote areas.
Speaking on the challenges faced by these regions, Border Area Development Minister Rakkam Sangma acknowledged the lack of resources.
He attributed the problem to the discontinuation of central government funding under the Border Area Development Programme.
“The central government has not provided funds for the last four years, and we are still awaiting communication on this matter,” he said.
The lack of development in these areas has sparked discontent among residents. Recently, groups from Block-I, which shares a disputed border with Assam, approached the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission to highlight the disparity and demand better facilities, such as hospitals and schools.
While development in these regions was historically driven by central government initiatives, Sangma noted that the state has stepped in with projects through MGNREGA and the Basin Development Programme.