8 projects inaugurated, base laid for several others in Sohiong
Shillong, July 18: Breaking conventions, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has humbly witnessed the inauguration of a key project by an army veteran as several projects worth over Rs 145 crore were launched in Sohiong C&RD Block in East Khasi Hills district on Saturday.
The Block Integrated Development Complex worth Rs 2.77 crore was inaugurated by Pyntngenlang Nongrang, who served as Sepoy in 1st Assam Regiment of the Indian Army for 17 years.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed the opinion that the honour of dedicating a project to the community should be given to someone from the community itself.
“While it has been the tradition that all government buildings and infrastructures are inaugurated by the chief guest or the dignitaries present, I believe that the practice should be that it should be inaugurated by people from within the community to have the honour that makes it more meaningful,” he said at the programme held at Mawtap Pyllun Ground.
The Chief Minister inaugurated a CM Connect Centre at Sohiong C&RD Block and laid the foundation stone for several development projects in presence of C&RD Minister Sosthenes Sohtun and Sohiong MLA Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah among others.
Terming it a special day for Sohiong, he said, “Eight projects worth Rs 5.48 crore are being dedicated to the people today and foundation stones for nine projects worth Rs 140 crore are being laid.”
“This reiterates our commitment to ensure that development reaches every village and every citizen of the state,” Sangma said.
The other projects inaugurated include a Block Resource Centre worth Rs 50 lakh that will provide academic and administrative support to schools.
In C&RD sector, the Children & Adolescents Libraries & Digital Infrastructure for 13 villages of Rs 2.24 crore will serve as community knowledge hubs with internet connectivity and trained facilitators.
A Plastic Waste Management Unit of Rs 5 lakh, Collective Marketing Centres for Nongur and Jamynthlen of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15 lakh respectively, and Agricab for collective marketing and storage of Rs 3 lakh are among the other projects inaugurated on the day.
Meanwhile, the key projects among nine for which foundation stones were laid include assured drinking water for 16 villages, improved rural connectivity, five major eco-tourism destinations, a futile court and a flow irrigation project.
Development of Kynroh Viewpoint, Sohiong Viewpoint, Tree House at Nongkasen, Hotel and Public Viewing Point, Lum Diengiei (Ph I & II), Kynton Mynnar-Nongpathae Road (4.40 km), Mawlaingut-Lawmei Road (5 km), augmentation of Greater Sohiong Water Supply Scheme, and Dewlieh Mawrisnai Flow Irrigation Project are among projects for which foundation stones were laid on the occasion.
Speaking on the CM Connect initiative, the Chief Minister termed the programme as a crucial responsibility for the government and political leaders aimed at serving and solving people’s problems.
He added that the CM Connect programme is not just a call centre or a program but as a concept and desire to help, rooted in leadership and governance.
He also underscored the importance of listening and giving the people the opportunity to speak transforming any programme into a CM Connect and stressed the importance of every citizen and every constituency.
“Governance is an ongoing process and requires continuous effort and it is important to keep the people first while maintaining a clear vision and goal,” he said.
Meanwhile, the people of Sohiong raised concerns over soil erosion especially during the heavy rainfall causing uncontrolled surface runoff from hill slopes damaging farmland and crops among other issues.
The Chief Minister and the officers from the concerned departments responded to each of the concerns raised.
While many of the issues that were raised were already being addressed, the Chief Minister assured the gathering that all concerns would be looked into and followed up.
The Chief Minister and other dignitaries also distributed cheques to various village organisations for their outstanding services while sanction orders were also distributed to different self-help groups during the occasion.
