Shillong, Oct 1: Chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said the government has identified problems coming in the way of the state’s growth and development and adopted measures to address them in a systemic manner.
“We have identified the issues and have found a way forward to resolve the problems that are affecting the growth and development of different sectors in the state,” the chief minister said, while speaking at the meeting of the 16th Finance Commission here.
Stating that the present government inherited challenges from the past, he said, “In many sectors, we were not doing well, particularly in health and education, we took up the challenge, identified the concerns and are now resolving the problems in a systematic manner”.
Citing the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), which was double than the national average in 2018, he said, “We introduced a holistic programme (MOTHER) through which we identified high risk pregnant women, and the challenges for high mortality and introduced a programme for care and safe institutional deliveries”.
“Maternal mortality is linked to social issue, infrastructure and other services, including spacing of birth between two children,” he added while mentioning interventions initiated through Chief Minister’s Safe Motherhood Programme.
He also informed that the government has been able to tackle the challenges and introduced corrective measures, which has led to decline in the MMR and IMR in the state.
On laying the foundation for the growth and development, the chief minister said through 15th Finance Commission, the state was awarded Rs 3000 crore, and through Externally Aided Projects (EAPs), the state managed to get funds around Rs 9000 crore to initiate development and infrastructure projects.
“Through partnership that were forged with international banks, institutions, universities like Berkeley, the state has been able to include intellectual and technology partners for a shared objective to further the development and growth aspirations of the state,” he emphasised.
Handing over the memorandum of the state to the 16th Finance Commission Chairman Dr Arvind Panagariya, the chief minister also spoke on the importance of this meeting, which will enable the state to further continue its mission to push forward the growth and development of the state.
“We look forward to the 16th Finance Commission for consideration of our memorandum and support us adequately towards realising our vision for Meghalaya,” the chief minister added.
During the day, the 16th Finance Commission had separate meeting with representatives of trade and industry, rural local bodies, urban local bodies and political parties.
