Shillong, Apr 6: The NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government would come up with ‘white papers’ on various programmes and policies including those launched by the previous Congress-led government before taking future course of action.
Replying to the debate on the governor’s address in the Assembly here on Friday, chief minister Conrad K. Sangma said, “We look forward to having white paper on various programmes and then decide on the future course of action.â€
Stating that his government will be an inclusive government and be part of finding solution to various problems, the chief minister said that the government would not stop programmes launched by the previous government but carry them forward.
“When there are good policies and programmes, we have to implement them. But we will soon review all policies and programmes that are there, and look forward to having white papers. Good policies would be further improved and those programmes that did not yield good results, we might reconsider,†Conrad said while maintaining that his government will be a positive thinking and inclusive government.
He also said that the Meghalaya State Planning Board (MSPB) has been asked to give white paper on the implementation of the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme (IBDLP) initiated by the previous government.
Lauding initiatives taken by the former chief minister Mukul Sangma, he said, “The Leader of Opposition (when he was CM) has done his part, and our job is to carry (these initiatives) forward. There may be some changes in the policies, but the objective will be the same.â€
Meanwhile, the chief minister said that the government is also contemplating to come up with a Directorate of Food Processing while also focusing on organic farming.
He said that Meghalaya has not been able to take advantage of the food park programme of the Centre government while asserting that much attention towards food processing should be given so that the growth of the state reached the next level.
Stating that agriculture is very important for the government, Conrad said the state government would encourage organic farming in the state by ensuring that right policy is in place.
The chief minister also said that the government was also trying to get externally aided projects which include construction of roads to ensure farmers are accessed to markets and get maximum benefits.