SHILLONG, OCT 21: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said his government’s development model is holistic, reaching every corner of the state covering both infrastructure and personal development.
“In 2018 when the NPP got the mandate to form the Government, I had told the press that my development model would be holistic development reaching every corner – urban and rural and in all sectors. It would include not only infrastructure development but also personal development to uplift livelihood,” Sangma said while addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Synthetic Football Turf at Mandalgitok Playground, Siju and laying the foundation stone for the new Siju C&RD Block Office building.
He thanked the people for giving a second term to serve the state.
Terming the day as joyful and memorable, the Chief Minister said, “It is a joy and memorable day seeing a world-class artificial turf in Siju.”
“The State is constructing 58 Artificial Turf grounds, one in each constituency, with a sanction of more than Rs. 300 crore. On completion, Meghalaya will become the state with the highest number of artificial turfs in India. Overall, more than Rs. 2000 crore has been invested in the last 8 years for sports infrastructure including stadiums, football grounds, swimming pools and indoor stadiums in all 60 constituencies,” he said.
Sangma said youth and sports are vital for Meghalaya’s future. “If we want to make Meghalaya one of the best states, we must give opportunities to our youth along with education and infrastructure. Meghalaya will host the National Games for the first time in March 2027. About 15,000 athletes, coaches and officials will participate. The Government’s aim is that our youth from Siju should win medals not only in National Games but also represent Meghalaya and India in Asian Games and Olympics in future,” he said.
Stating that personal development is equally important along with infrastructure, the Chief Minister said, “First instalment of Rs. 20-30 crore under FOCUS+ was released last month to 1.12 lakh beneficiaries. Second instalment and backlog instalments will be released in December 2026. New registration is ongoing. Money goes directly to beneficiary accounts.”
He further said, “Rs. 104 crore last week as second instalment and Rs. 100 crore in September as first instalment, total Rs. 204 crore has been released directly to 95,000 students in last three months as scholarships.”
He also said that vehicles and financial support will be distributed to youth, women and farmers to start businesses under CM Elevate, CM Assure and CM Farm Plus at Jengjal on October 22.
Sangma said all these programmes are implemented keeping in mind the vision of Late P.A. Sangma – keeping people and state first.
On the GHADC Separate Electoral Roll, the Chief Minister said, “The Governor has passed the historic Separate Electoral Roll Bill for GHADC. Now no non-tribal can vote or contest in GHADC. GHADC was created under the 6th Schedule to protect tribal identity and rights. The demand was pending for long but has now fructified.”
On Wangala Golden Jubilee, he said, “The 50th Wangala Golden Jubilee will witness 1000 drums this year, with Rs. 5.50 crore support being extended by the government towards the 100 Drums Golden Jubilee Celebrations for construction of Wangala arena, road and parking and holding of the golden jubilee celebrations.”
He also said that 90 percent support was extended from the Chief Minister’s Special Grant for Mahari Football Tournament in Tura. “This year out of Rs. 13 lakh budget, Rs. 11 lakh and Rs. 5.50 lakh financial support was extended to all participating Maharis to preserve the spirit of Mahari,” he added.
On the new Siju C&RD Block office, Sangma said 70 percent of public works and benefits are delivered through the Block, so blocks are important for public service. He recalled that Rerapara Block had been running without a building since 2014, and its new building was inaugurated yesterday. “There are 56 Blocks in Meghalaya and Government is constructing new block buildings across the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that the government has not achieved everything but is striving towards balanced overall development. He also expressed concern over delay in NH-62 / NH-217 due to land acquisition and forest issues and said the government is taking up the matter with the Central Ministry.
He said the Siju to Chokpot Road proposal has been submitted to the Government through the Ministry of DoNER. “Once it is granted, travel from Siju to Tura via Chokpot will be much faster and easier for office works and public movement,” he said.
Thanking the A•king Nokma for donating land for the artificial turf, Sangma said the site is beautiful and a tourist lodge and restaurant can be constructed along with the turf. “Tourists can enjoy the beautiful view while watching the tournaments,” he added.
The programmes were held in presence of Rakkam A Sangma, MLA 58-Rongara Siju and former Education Minister, Jim M Sangma, MLA 42-Rongjeng, Sengchim N Sangma, MLA 59-Chokpot, Sumit Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner South Garo Hills and others.
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