Shillong, March 5: Taking further the Green Meghalaya and FOCUS+ programmes Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has distributed cheques to beneficiaries under the two schemes in East Garo Hills district.
At a programme marking completion of eight years of the MDA government, the Chief Minister distributed cheques to over 11,000 beneficiaries under FOCUS+ in three C&RD blocks — Samanda, Songsak and Dambo‑Rongjeng.
The beneficiaries include those who received their second instalment of Rs 2,500 and freshly registered beneficiaries getting Rs 2,500 as first instalment.
In his address, the Chief Minister mentioned that Meghalaya now ranks second in economic development after Tamil Nadu and he credited public support and Central assistance for accelerating infrastructure and economic growth.
“We have spent more than Rs 150 crore under FOCUS in the past five years,” he said at the Police Parade Ground.
“We will continue to support the people of the state by extending the period of registration for availing the benefits under the FOCUS+ to another two years,” Sangma announced.
He said with the support of the people, the government had the opportunity to bring various developmental schemes and projects and the state had witnessed a significant change in terms of infrastructural development.
The state government, according to the chief minister, is exploring all possible means to bring all-round and sustainable development to the state and sought community participation for achieving the set target.
Meanwhile, PHE minister Marcuise N Marak, while addressing the gathering, said the state had seen significant growth in terms of infrastructural and economic development under “Our Magnificent Meghalaya, Vision 2032” under the able leadership of chief minister Conrad K Sangma.
He said the Chief Minister has a vision to make Meghalaya one of the best states in India by setting a target to achieve 16 billion economy by 2032.
He also informed that Horti-Agri College will soon be established in East Garo Hills at Dawagre locality of Williamnagar for which budget was already sanctioned.
Further, the minister said, the cabinet had taken a decision to provide employment in the government departments to the sports personalities who will bring laurels to the state.
