Shillong, Nov 5 (PTI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday laid the foundation stone of an integrated hospital at Ummulong and inaugurated a shooting range at Khliehtyrshi, as part of a series of development initiatives during his visit to West Jaintia Hills district.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla were also present during the day-long visit, during which the chief minister inaugurated several completed projects and laid foundation stones for new infrastructure across the district.
Sangma also inaugurated the Block Integrated Development Complex of Thadlaskein Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block, jointly with community leader Kwit Sari.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister outlined the government’s three-pillar development model, focusing on infrastructure creation, direct financial assistance to individuals and preservation of indigenous culture and traditions.
He said infrastructure development, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities and sports infrastructure, remained a key priority, adding that nearly 70 per cent of the government’s spending in recent years had been directed towards the sports sector.
On the second pillar, Sangma said the government had transferred around Rs 400 crore to students through various scholarship programmes, while financial support to self-help groups had increased from Rs 50 crore to nearly Rs 1,400 crore.
Farmers had also received close to Rs 300 crore through various schemes, including FOCUS+ and CM Assure, he said.
Emphasising the importance of preserving local identity, the chief minister said the government was committed to supporting diverse community traditions, irrespective of faith or region.
He also stressed the need to involve traditional heads and community leaders directly in governance and the development process.
During the visit, Sangma inaugurated road improvement and upgradation works spanning 38.163 km across Ialong, Jowai, Madur Thymme, Mukhla and Niriang.
He also inaugurated the renovated Kiang Nangbah Stadium and additional school buildings at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Jowai, besides Madur and Lad Mukhla sub-centres.
Foundation stones were laid for an aquatic complex at Jowai, an athletic synthetic track and associated infrastructure at Kiang Nangbah Stadium, artificial football grounds at Mukhla Sohshrieh and Mukhla Umlangshor, and several other sports facilities.
In the education sector, foundation stones were laid for new lower primary school buildings at Mukhla Sohshrieh, Niriang and Mokaswan.
The chief minister also laid foundation stones for health sub-centres at Ialong, Sabahmuswang and Ksehrynshang, along with road improvement works at Sabah Muswang and Khliehtyrshi.
He felicitated sports achievers Pritam Sunar and Sawakani Lakiang for their recent awards, distributed start-up tools to 181 trainees and handed over Maternal and Child Care Kits during the programme. PTI JOP RG
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.