Rerapara C&RD Block gets new building * Base laid for AMPT Road * Suspension bridge opens at Samandalgre, Rerapara
Rerapara (South West Garo Hills), Oct 20: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today inaugurated the new building of Rerapara Community & Rural Development Block in the presence of MLAs Subir Marak, Sanjay Sangma and Mehtab Chandee A Sangma.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated the Aking Nokma of Rerapara for donating land for construction of the new block office and thanked her and the people for their generosity.
He also laid the foundation stone for the AMPT Road (Garobadha to Tura) and inaugurated the suspension bridge at Samandalgre, Rerapara.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the Block Development Office is the most important office when it comes to public service delivery.
“Secretariat may be the highest ranking office, but work-wise, the most important is the Block Development Office. Maximum schemes and public services are implemented through the block. If the BDO and staff work efficiently, 75 percent of public concerns will be resolved,” he said.
Recalling past conditions, he said nearly 70% of block offices in the State were functioning from small rented premises without adequate working space for officers and staff.
“How can staff function efficiently if there is no proper working space? When we got the opportunity to serve, we decided to streamline administration and upgrade all block offices across the State. Close to Rs. 200 crore was sanctioned for this. No Government has ever done this before – we have set the trend,” he said.
He added that similar transformation is being carried out across sectors – over 2000 Government school buildings constructed/renovated, police stations renovated, and colleges like Captain Williamson Sangma College at Baghmara, Williamnagar College and Nongstoin College provided with proper infrastructure.
Stating that he is the Captain of Team Meghalaya, the Chief Minister urged Government staff to work with compassion, trust, honesty and love for the people they serve.
“Keep people first in your approach,” he said.
He informed that concerns of Rerapara have been mapped as Priority 1, 2 and accordingly interventions have been initiated.
The AMPT Road (Garobadha-Tura) is a vital connectivity project for Garo Hills, while the Rerapara suspension bridge is part of more than 100 such bridges being constructed across the State under a special project conceptualized by the Government to connect remote habitations.
The programme was attended by Nokmas, district officials, block officials and local residents.
