Shillong, Nov 5: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said his government is not just building roads and buildings — it is putting money directly into people’s pockets.
Speaking in West Jaintia Hills, Sangma said Rs 400 crore has been transferred to students through scholarships, while support to Self-Help Groups has shot up from Rs 50 crore to nearly Rs 1,400 crore. Farmers have got close to Rs 300 crore through FOCUS+, CM ASSURE and other schemes.
He called it the government’s three-pillar model — infrastructure, direct financial help, and protection of Meghalaya’s cultural identity.
“Development should not remain confined to physical infrastructure. It must directly improve people’s lives,” he said.
Sangma said nearly 70% of sports spending in recent years has gone into building assets — stadiums, tracks, grounds — and the same push is on for roads, schools and hospitals.
He also said traditional heads and community leaders are being made partners in governance, to protect the state’s diverse cultures irrespective of faith or region.
During his day-long tour, Sangma laid the foundation for the Integrated Hospital at Ummulong, inaugurated the Block Integrated Development Complex at Thadlaskein and a shooting range at Khliehtyrchi.
He also inaugurated 38.163 km of roads, a new school building at Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Jowai, two sub-centres and the renovated Kiang Nangbah Stadium.
Foundation stones were laid for an aquatic complex, synthetic athletic track, artificial football grounds, school buildings and more healthcare facilities.
Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar and Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla were present. Sangma also felicitated local achievers and handed start-up toolkits to 181 trainees and maternal and childcare kits to beneficiaries.
