Rongara, Sept 10: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma held a CM-Connect programme at the Rongara M.E. School Playground on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the inauguration of Rongara’s newly constructed block office, giving residents a direct platform to raise long-pending local issues.
Rongara lies in the remote eastern reaches of South Garo Hills district, near the Bangladesh and South West Khasi Hills frontiers.
Grievances Raised
Concerns ranged from a damaged gravity main and irregular water supply in Lower Nekora, to demand for a local board exam centre, and flooding near the Lower Nekora main market.
Residents also flagged the poor condition of the Ampanggre–Wasogittim road, prompting the Chief Minister to direct officials to expedite assessment and repair work on the stretch, including the bridge’s first phase.
Villagers from Naweram Asim raised the lack of drinking water, to which the Chief Minister responded directly: “I will ensure that the village receives water at the household level. Drinking water is a basic right for our people.”
Other issues included the need for additional electricity poles, repair of the inspection bungalow at Moheshkola, and the poor state of Jujolgre LP School, which has a leaking roof and damaged walls.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that not all problems have quick fixes. “While I will be issuing directions for matters that can be resolved immediately, there will be others that will be examined and taken up accordingly,” he said, adding that departments would follow up on all grievances in a time-bound manner.
New Block Office
The newly inaugurated block office was built at a cost of ₹3 crore. The building is part of a larger statewide push — of 56 planned block offices, at least 34 have been completed so far, backed by ₹120 crore sanctioned in 2022–23.
In South Garo Hills alone, new block offices have also come up in Baghmara, Chokpot and Gasuapara, most nearing completion, while ₹4.50 crore has been allocated for the newly created Siju Block.
Maternal and Child Care Kits Distributed
Ahead of the public interaction, the Chief Minister distributed Maternal and Child Care Kits to eligible beneficiaries — a Health Department initiative supporting mothers and children. The programme is being piloted in Siju-Rongara before its statewide rollout.
About CM-Connect
Describing CM-Connect as a platform for citizens to share concerns and developmental needs directly with the government, the Chief Minister said the initiative is held across different blocks in the state to strengthen ties between the administration and the public. “Connecting with the people is an essential part of public service,” he said.
The event was attended by Rongara- Siju MLA Rakkam Sangma and Chokpot MLA Sengchim N Sangma.
