Officials Assess PMAY, NHIDCL projects, Surya Ghar Yojana, and Social Welfare programs in high-level meeting
Tura, May 6: Meghalaya Chief Secretary D P Wahlang chaired a high-level review meeting on Tuesday, here in Tura, assessing the progress of key central and state schemes across the Garo Hills districts.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Principal Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) Sampath Kumar, Commissioner & Secretary (Food Civil Supplies) Pravin Bakshi, Secretary (Education) Swapnil Tembe, and Deputy Commissioners of all five Garo Hills districts.
The review covered key initiatives, including the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY Urban/Rural), National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) projects, Prime Minister Surya Ghar Muft Bijili Yojana, Mission Education, Aadhar coverage, Aadhar seeding with NFSA ration cards, MHIS, health infrastructure, and social security schemes under the Labour Department (PM-SYN, PMSBY, PMJJBY).
Discussions also highlighted innovations, interventions, and success stories. Officials informed the chief secretary about challenges faced in PMAY implementation, such as geo-tagging issues due to poor network connectivity and Aadhar seeding complications for beneficiaries on government land.
On the road communication front the NHIDCL reported steady progress on the Tura-Dalu and Dainadubi-Darugre roads, with the Baghmara-Shillong road now reducing travel time to six hours.
Chief Secretary Wahlang directed Deputy Commissioners to monitor scheme progress at the district level, ensuring no household is excluded from PMAY coverage.
He emphasized upgrading facilities at Balpakram National Park, including the guest house, to boost tourism from Khasi Hills.
On the PM Surya Ghar Mukt Bijili Yojana, he instructed the Planning Department to collaborate with the CM Solar Mission to meet targets and urged accelerated Aadhar enrolment to access government schemes.
Wahlang also called for greater awareness of social security schemes and MHIS financial assistance, encouraging departments to publicize success stories that benefit the poor.
Commissioner Pravin Bakshi stressed the urgency of Aadhar seeding for NFSA and ICDS benefits, noting a statewide campaign ahead of the June 30, 2025, Aadhar enrolment deadline.
Education Secretary Swapnil Tembe reviewed Mission Education’s progress across Phases I, II, and III, including school infrastructure upgrades in Garo Hills.
Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar provided updates on the Meghalaya Early Child Development Mission’s implementation.
The Chief Secretary concluded by urging officials to revive rural information campaigns, previously known as RIC, to educate communities about government programs and ensure effective scheme delivery.
