Shillong, Aug 10: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday laid foundation for Integrated Block Development Complex at Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills in presence of C&RD Minister Hamletson Dohling and local MLA Macmillan Byrsat.
During the programme he also handed over financial assistance for oyster mushroom farmers under the Meghalaya Mushroom Mission and producers group under the FOCUS programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the government has accorded thrust to backward regions of the State and is working to ensure that development interventions reach to every nook and corner of the State.
The Chief Minister said that the new block office will ensure efficient services to the people of the area.
Sangma also said that the government infrastructure in rural areas and at block level were in dilapidated condition and government is ensuring that new infrastructure is being created for providing better services.
He informed that the government has earmarked Rs. 3 cr for each block for developing infrastructure in all the 46 blocks of the State.
Emphasizing on the Government’s constant endeavour to improve road connectivity in different parts of the State Sangma said that improvement of various important roads in West Khasi Hills such as the Nongsoin-Maweit road, Nongstoin-Wakhaji and Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai road, have been initiated.
He aslo said that Rs. 26.5 crore have been earmarked for the improvement of internal roads in Nongstoin town.
The Chief Minister also informed that apart from creating infrastructure, the government is providing socio economic development by providing welfare schemes to women and farmers.
He told the gathering that more than Rs. 300 cr has been released to 35,000 SHGs in the State in last four years.
While informing that 4.5 lakh women are part of these SHGs he said that the government’s push for the SHG movement has led to better financial inclusion of women which is crucial for overall economic progress of the state.
Sangma also informed that direct financial assistance have been provided to over 18000 producers group under FOCUS programme.
“The Govt intends to continue with welfare initiatives for the farmers. We want to ensure that our farmers progress that ultimately ensures financial stability and development of the farming community,†the Chief Minister said.
Sangma said that through FOCUS and FOCUS plus programme will enable and ensure support to the farmers and producers groups for financial stability.