Shillong, Oct 13: Tura Lok Sabha MP Conrad K. Sangma on Friday inaugurated a shopping complex at Rongjeng in East Garo Hills and dedicated the project to the people of Garo hills and termed it as a dream of his late father, who also wanted such complex to come up in rural areas.
Constructed at an estimated cost of 95 lakh by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) under the Special Plan Assistance from the centre, the project is first of its kind in a rural area.
Last year, the Centre had released around Rs 100 crore to the Council and the funds were earmarked for different welfare programmes. The shopping complex at Rongjeng is one of the biggest project for enhancing trade and commerce in the area initiated by the council so far.
“Sixteen such projects have been undertaken under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) from centre by the National People’s Party led executive committee (EC) of the council last year”, informed Conrad, who also stated that the construction was completed with 60 per cent of the funds, which were released.
He thanked the Central government for the sanction of the SPA to the council through which the council has taken up construction of several works including MDC hostels, court house, museum, etc and 16 rural shopping complex across Garo Hills region.
Speaking at the function, the local MDC, MG Momin detailed how the project was completed and the efforts put in to ensure the project came up much before time.
“This, we hope will be a boon for the people of Rongjeng as it will provide more space for development of business in the town,” said the MDC.
Songsak MDC, BR Sangma, where another shopping complex under the same SPA has already completed spoke of the hardships faced by the previous NPP led EC during its time.
“All the money was withdrawn by the previous Congress led EC who even drew an advance from the state saying the money was to be paid to the employees. However they only cleared contract bills prior to the elections,” he said.
