Ri-Bhoi, Oct 17: Residents of Nongspung A village in Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district have sought Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s intervention over delays in a promised school building project, alleging that the proposed design fails to meet the school’s land constraints and infrastructure requirements.
The project was announced during Sangma’s visit to the village on May 22, 2025. The Chief Minister had assured the construction of a new school building under the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF) in the presence of local MLA Sosthenes Sohtun, the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi and community members.
Following the assurance, the village headman submitted a memorandum signed by the Chief Minister to the Education Department for necessary action. However, residents alleged that the process remained stalled for nearly a year and a half despite repeated representations.
There has been recent movement on the proposal. District School Education Officer (DSEO) T. Shangrang forwarded the budget proposal to the Deputy Commissioner on October 13, 2026. The Deputy Commissioner subsequently submitted it to the Chief Minister’s Office on October 14.
However, the proposed building plan has triggered objections from villagers, who alleged that it was prepared by Bah Ebrin, a civil engineer associated with the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in Ri Bhoi, without a physical inspection of the site or proper assessment of the available land.
The residents have raised three major concerns. They said the proposed building dimensions appear to exceed the boundaries of the available land. They also alleged that the plan accommodates only the Lower Primary section, leaving out existing Upper Primary students and faculty.
The villagers further claimed that the design was finalised without consultation with the local Dorbar or an assessment of ground conditions.
In their complaint to the Chief Minister, the residents have demanded an inquiry into the design process, a written explanation from the concerned engineer and an immediate technical revision of the plan to reflect the actual land dimensions and the school’s requirements.
They stressed that the necessary corrections should not lead to further bureaucratic delays in implementing the project.
The villagers said a functional school building was essential to meet the educational needs of the community, particularly as Nongspung A aspires to develop into a Smart Model Village.
Copies of the petition have also been sent to Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, Commissioner and Secretary of Education V. K. Mantri, and Director of School Education Richa Kulkarni.
The residents have urged the concerned authorities to address the design issues and expedite the project so that the school can get infrastructure suited to its actual needs.
Also read: Students protest alleged encroachment on school land in Assam’s Sontoli
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