JOWAI, NOV 5: Development must rest on infrastructure, reach people directly, and protect culture and tradition, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Thursday during a day-long visit to West Jaintia Hills.
“We have a three-pillar development model,” Sangma said while inaugurating the Block Integrated Development Complex of Thadlaskein C&RD Block. “The first is infrastructure development, prioritizing physical assets as a foundation for progress, including roads, schools, health centres and stadiums.”
He said significant investment has gone into the sports sector in the last few years.
“Nearly 70% of such spending in the last few years has been directed towards the sports sector,” he said.
On the second pillar, personalised benefits and development, Sangma said the government aims to touch individual lives through direct financial transfers and resource provision.
“The government has transferred around Rs 400 crore to students via various scholarship programmes, and support for SHGs has grown from Rs 50 crore to about Rs 1,400 crore, and farmers have received close to Rs 300 crore through different programmes like FOCUS+, CM Assure etc,” he said.
On the third pillar, preservation of culture and tradition, he said the government prioritises protecting local identity by supporting diverse community traditions regardless of faith or region.
Sangma also stressed involving traditional heads and community leaders directly in governance and development.
The Thadlaskein complex was jointly inaugurated by Kwit Sari, Community Stewardship and Raij Leader. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs and Health Wailadmiki Shylla were present during the visit.
The Chief Minister felicitated achievers, distributed start-up tools to trainees and handed over Maternal & Child Care Kits.
Earlier, he laid the foundation stone for the Integrated Hospital at Ummulong, inspected the Iawmusiang Shopping Complex and Thadlaskein Hospitality Complex, and inaugurated the Shooting Range at Khliehtyrchi.
Under PWD (Roads), Jowai South Division, he inaugurated construction, improvement and upgradation of roads at Ialong, Jowai, Madur Thymme, Mukhla and Niriang, totalling 38.163 km. He also laid foundation stones for upgradation of Sabah Muswang internal village road (2.450 km), improvement of internal road at Khliehtyrshi village (4.085 km), and construction of boundary fencing of Thomas Jones Synod College, Jowai.
In education, an additional school building at Government Girls HSS, Jowai was inaugurated, and foundation stones were laid for LP school buildings at Mukhla Sohshrieh, Niriang and Mokaswan.
In sports, foundation stones were laid for an Aquatic Complex at Jowai, athletic synthetic track including upgradation of football playground, VIP gallery and chainlink fencing at Kiang Nangbah Stadium, Jowai, artificial football ground at Mukhla Sohshrieh, retaining walls and protection works at Mukhla Sohshrieh, Mukhla Umlangshor and Madan Thad Mukhla. The renovated Kiang Nangbah Stadium was also inaugurated. Pritam Sunar and Sawakani Lakiang were felicitated for their recent awards.
In health, foundation stones were laid for sub-centres at Ialong, Sabahmuswang and Ksehrynshang, while sub-centres at Madur and Lad Mukhla were inaugurated.
The Skill Development Officer distributed start-up tools to 181 trainees.
