From Our Correspondent
TURA: A committed team will be dedicated to take up multi-faceted development programmes in Siju, Rongshu Agal and surrounding orange grown areas to develop eco-tourism and other livelihood generation activities in the region. This was informed by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Saturday when he attended the Entrepreneur’s Conclave under Meghalaya Integrated Basin Development and livelihood Programme (MIBDLP) organized by the South Garo Hills District Administration in Siju.
Dr Sangma also attended the Annual community fishing conducted by the people of Siju at Dabat Wari. Impressed by the people’s ability to preserve their age old traditional practice of community fishing, Dr Sangma said that it showed that the people of Siju had an inherent capability of being successful entrepreneurs.
He decided on tying up the traditional skills of the people with government schemes under the Meghalaya Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood generation programmes like Aqua Culture Mission, Apiculture, and Horticulture.
He stated that 1,100 crores had been earmarked for development and promotion of Pisci culture.
Dr Sangma informing that an International Transit Point has been set up in Dalu to boost trade and commerce said that the government has been taking up with different Union Ministers various programmes to promote trade and commerce in the state. He also informed that a railway line connecting Garo Hills through Jobigopa in Assam to the Barack Valley had been put forward.
Principal Secretary, R N Mishra said that an entrepreneur intervention scheme would be set up wherein entrepreneurs would be able to easily acquire financial assistance from banks.
Chairman, GHADC, Alphonse Sangma briefly narrated the historical background behind the origin of the practice of community fishing in Siju and said that it was initiated by the first Chief Minister of Meghalaya, late Capt. Williamson A Sangma fifty years back.
