Shillong, Feb 9: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh in Delhi and sought assistance from the Government of India for funding different projects under “Special Central Assistance”.
(1/2) Requested @FinMinIndia to maintain the current #Meghalaya‘s share of central taxes & timely release of balance amount. Also sought Ministry’s support for additional grants to complete projects under Special Central Assistance. pic.twitter.com/xNnCa77pOB
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 9, 2021
Chief Minister briefed Union Minister on the progress of works for Water Supply Scheme in Tura, Nongstoin and Greater Shillong, construction of new assembly building, upgradation of health infrastructure and setting up of residential schools.
The State Government has requested for additional sanction of around 200 cr for ongoing projects in the State.
Informing on the progress of ongoing construction of the new assembly building in Shillong, Chief Minister and Speaker drew the attention of the Union Finance Minister on the need to complete the building by 2022.
“The work is in progress and we are confident that it will be completed as per scheduled. The State Government has already invested an amount of Rs. 100 cr from its own resources and is in urgent need for an additional 150 cr for making the project operational by 2022,” the Chief Minister said.
He also drew the attention of the Union Finance Minister to intervene and issue advisory to all banks to make SHG portfolio a part of their key performance indicators.
(2/2) Sought the support of Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, Smti. @nsitharaman Ji for the addition of SHG portfolio as part of Banks’ Key Performance Indicators to achieve effective SHG Bank Linkage Programme & the provision of basic financial services in rural areas. pic.twitter.com/ldXUsEb5nO
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 9, 2021
“During Covid pandemic, SHGs in Meghalaya have played a major role in ensuring cash flow at the grassroot level and ensured access to finance to the low-income groups. Hence, SHGs have a major role to play in terms of taking financial services to the last mile populations. Since, Meghalaya has low penetration of bank branches in the rural areas and as such the SHG network can help bridge the gap in providing the basic financial services,” the Chief Minister said.
On Tuesday, he also called on several other ministers including Union DoNER Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Rail Minister Piyush Goyal, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, amongst others.
Briefed Hon’ble MoS of @MDoNER_India, @DrJitendraSingh Ji on the progress of different projects funded by the Ministry and requested further support to boost #Meghalaya‘s infrastructure sector through NESIDS and NLCPR schemes. pic.twitter.com/3qI7XVRLbh
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 9, 2021
The Chief Minister and Speaker also called on Union Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and briefed him of the ongoing construction of National Institute of Technology (NIT), at Sohra, which has been halted due to paucity of funds. Chief Minister has requested the Union Education Minister to release additional funds to complete the building. It may be mentioned that NIT, Sohra requires an additional 258 cr to be completed.
In today’s meeting, we requested @EduMinOfIndia‘s financial support to complete the construction of NIT, Meghalaya in Sohra & extended our invitation to Hon’ble Union Education Minister, @DrRPNishank Ji to grace the inauguration of the newly constructed building of @IIMShillong. pic.twitter.com/gRv25AViy0
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 9, 2021
He also called on Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda and apprised him of the ongoing projects in Meghalaya. He expressed his gratitude to the ministry for its continued support for welfare of the tribal. It may be mentioned that the tribal affairs ministry has sanctioned different development projects for Meghalaya including the prestigious Tribal Research Institute, which is coming up in West Garo Hills.
Met Hon’ble Union Tribal Affairs Minister, Sh. @MundaArjun Ji and apprised him on the progress of ongoing projects in Meghalaya. Also expressed our gratitude to the Ministry for its continued support to the State particularly for the welfare of our tribal people.@TribalAffairsIn pic.twitter.com/VRJFK9BM2Z
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 9, 2021
