From Our Correspondent
PHULBARI, JAN 28: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma on Sunday said that there were a group of people, who were all out in “market” creating misconception on government development initiatives.
“We have not created the new blocks for any vote bank politics but to strike a relationship between people and the leaders in an endeavor to bring administration closer to the people”, Mukul said while laying the foundation for the newly created Demdema community and rural development block in West Garo Hills.
He said despite all odds his government has embarked on a mission to bring governance to the grassroot even as a section were skeptical that the development interventions were all “election gimmick” despite the creation of six new blocks and four new sub-division in the state.
He said that ahead of 2013 election his government created four new districts not to win election but to fulfill the aspiration of the people. “Negative elements will keep talking bad but we as politicians have to work with sincerity”, he added.
He said that politicians have the onus upon themselves to understand the problems of the common man and make its endeavour to resolve. “We are connected to the challenges of the common man and have the responsibility to cater to all categories of people”, the chief minister exhorted.
Stating that Demdema block would soon become the epicenter of all good things, he said, “A slew of welfare projects were coming up in the area, which will benefit and transform the socio-economic status of this region and the people of the state at large”.
He then spoke about the ambitious National Highway corridor 127-B, which connects Meghalaya from Srirampur in West Bengal via Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari in West Garo Hills upto Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills.
Boosting of the 17 km country’s longest bridge from Dhubri to Phulbari, which is set for construction, the chief minister asked the people to gear up with their entrepreneurial ventures.
He informed that pending paper works for the bridge, which needs clearance from Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) were yet to be issued. On which he said, he would initiate dialogue with the Chief Executive Member of GHADC for its completion.
“Phulbari and its adjoining areas will become hub of business and trade. It will open new vistas for growth and prosperity in the area. The region has to become the front runner of various investment opportunities of the government”, he alerted the gathering, while talking about various interventions.
He said that his government has created smaller blocks and districts so that focused attention could be given to address all kinds of challenges and create opportunities for effective delivery of the government services.
On poor road connectivity in the plain belt area of West Garo Hills, he said that government has given direction to the department concerned not to compromise while allotment of tenders to the contractors.
“With investment from Japanese agencies, the government is working to widen the hill roads in different parts of the state, which at present can only accommodate single vehicle”, he said.
He also told the gathering that government is working out modalities on flood protection projects, which is the popular demand of the plain belt pursued by the local MLA of the area Abu Taher Mondal, speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Speaking on the occasion Mondal said, “People in the market say that the development programme are a hogwash ahead of election but let me assure you that our government under the leadership of Mukul Sangma is committed to deliver, which is all before everyone”.
Praising the chief minister, Mondal termed the intervention of the government as historic. “No chief minister has ever been so kind and considerate for the interest of the people but Mukul Sangma has created record with the slew of welfare initiative”, Mondal added.
The new block will comprise of villages from Selsella block, which is the largest in the state with about 1.5 lakh population and few villages from Dadenggre block. The Demdema block will comprise of 147 villages.
On Mukul’s arrival at Demdema village, which is close to Phulbari Congress workers chanted slogans praising Mukul and the party in presence of government officials.
Community and Rural Development Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Forest and Environment Minister Clement Marak, Tikrikilla MLA Micheal Sangma, Raksamgre MLA Limison Sangma and Rajabala MLA Ashahel D. Shira accompanied the chief minister for the programme.
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