Around 150 of 400 villages of Gambegre constituency still remain unconnected: MLA
Shillong, Feb 25: First time MLA Mehtab Chandee A Sangma has urged the state government to government to improve specialist healthcare facilities and last-mile rural connectivity even as she hailed the state budget 2026-27 as a “visionary, gender-neutral and SDG-aligned” roadmap that balances growth with fiscal prudence.
Expressing her opinion on the budget in the assembly on Wednesday, the Gambegre MLA said the budget signals continuity in infrastructure push — spanning roads, power, and digital expansion — that is helping integrate rural and urban economies.
“Our state is witnessing real change on the ground. From policy to infrastructure, skilling and entrepreneurship, the government is working across sectors for holistic growth,” she said.
She highlighted the state’s reported 10% growth rate for three consecutive years, saying, the state is “moving in the right direction.”
Referring to flagship environmental initiatives such as MegARISE, Payment for Ecosystem Services Programme, and Green Meghalaya, she said catchment protection, afforestation and community incentives align the state with global decarbonisation goals.
She described the Rs 2,472 crore allocation to the Health Department (about 9% of the budget) as one of the highest proportional spends in the country, compared with the national public health expenditure hovering around 2% of GDP.
The MLA cited expanded recruitment of doctors and nursing staff, new Community Health Centres (CHCs) under construction, and additional Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
For a population of about 30 lakh, Meghalaya currently has 473 Sub-Centres, 116 PHCs, 31 CHCs and 16 district hospitals, she said, adding that while numbers appear proportionate, the focus must shift to quality and outcomes.
She pointed to improvements in key indicators – Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined from 318 (2021) to 107 per 100,000 live births (2024), nearing the national average of 88, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) fell to 34 per 1,000 live births (2024), compared with the national average of 26.
“These gains reflect targeted, result-linked interventions and multi-pronged strategies,” she noted, also acknowledging state-level maternal health initiatives.
However, Sangma flagged a critical concern — the shortage of specialists at CHCs. While Meghalaya has two functioning medical colleges producing doctors, he stressed that postgraduate (PG) medical courses must be introduced at the earliest to retain talent and improve secondary care.
Upgrading CHCs to meet Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), he argued, would reduce the patient burden on civil hospitals in Shillong, Tura and Jowai.
“If CHCs function as robust secondary care centres with adequate specialists, patients can access services locally instead of travelling outside the state,” he said.
She also drew attention to Meghalaya’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.7, among the highest in the country, warning that sustained population growth demands stronger reproductive health services, adolescent health programmes, and expanded maternal and child healthcare infrastructure.
Turning to the Public Works Department, she said road and bridge spending is at its highest ever, with projects under PMGSY, CRIF, NESIDS, MITP, the Western Bypass and the upcoming Shillong–Silchar greenfield corridor.
However, she also highlighted persistent last-mile gaps. In her constituency alone, around 150 of 400 villages remain unconnected, often just 500 metres to 1 km from the nearest motorable road. She estimated that connecting them under existing Schedule of Rates norms would require over ₹200 crore — a challenge for any single constituency.
Welcoming the Chief Minister’s Rural Connectivity Programme with Rs 43 crore allocation, she urged the government to scale it up and adopt flexible norms for low-traffic rural roads to ensure every village is connected.
She said the Budget 2026–27 lays a strong foundation for inclusive and sustainable development. “With effective implementation and responsive governance, Meghalaya can emerge as a model state for the country,” she said, expressing confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
