Marak inaugurates lay by market at Damalgre in SWGH

The much awaited Lay by Market at Upper Damalgre under Rerapara C&RD Block of South West Garo Hills was inaugurated on Thursday by Rangsakona MLA Subir M. Marak at an impressive inaugural function organized by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Directorate of Horticulture in the market premises on Thursday.

The Lay By Market having 24 stalls and two community halls with two separate toilet facilities for males and females was constructed at a cost of Rs. 72.51 lakh under SPA 2013-2014 sanctioned under Horticulture Department and implemented through DRDA.

The inaugural program was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ampati, Yoshima W.Momin, BDO, Rerapara Block, Armand Ch. Momin, Nokma of Damalgre, officials of various line departments, members of the Lay By Market and the public of the area besides the district officials of Horticulture and Agriculture departments.

In his inaugural address, the Rangsakona MLA said he was privileged to inaugurate the permanent infrastructure for the local farmers with storage facilities where they can sell their agro-horti products directly to the customers without having to depend on middlemen. He urged the farmers to not only take advantage of this asset for their benefit but also protect and maintain the same. He expressed hope that this Lay By Market would become a place of economic growth and development for both the farmers and customers, as well as the people of the area in general.

Subir Marak also suggested to the people of the area that they shift the weekly market of Upper Damalgre to this newly inaugurated infrastructure which can serve them not only as weekly market but as a regular market so that they can make optimum use of this asset.

Earlier, the DHO, Ampati, Damayansha Nongkhlaw while highlighting about the construction of the lay by market and its objectives, said that the infrastructure would serve as a common platform for marketing the indigenous and entrepreneurial products of the farmers, producers, SHGs and villagers of Damalgre area and adjoining villages.

ADC, Ampati, Y.W.Momin, ADH (G), Ampati, B.Ch. Marak, ADH (Mkt), Ampati, B.R. Sangma and Secretary of the Lay By Market Committee, Silje Ch. Marak were among others who also addressed the gathering, while the youths and children presented song and dance to mark the occasion.