Shillong, Dec 18: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Sunday sought the support of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to transform Shillong as the knowledge hub of the North Eastern region.
Addressing the gathering that included PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Ministers and Governors of the other 7 North Eastern States on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at polo grounds in Shillong, Sangma said, “While my government is working towards bridging the infrastructural deficit and strengthening human capital in the State, I would especially like to request your support in our aim of transforming Shillong as the knowledge hub of the North East.”
To this endeavour, he said the government plans to build an administrative city in the New Shillong Township that would comprise Government offices, institutes of education and administration, sporting facilities and residential areas. This will also help in reducing the pressure on Shillong city and help restore it to its old glory and charm.
He also took the opportunity to urge the PM to allow for the inclusion of the Khasi and the Garo languages in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution.
In addition, he mentioned that the MDA govt is paying special attention to the youth in the State, and in this regard the government is supporting musicians, entrepreneurs and youth organizations through innovative schemes.
“My Government is also paying special attention to the youth who constitute a large section of our population. We are supporting musicians, entrepreneurs, youth organizations and sportspersons through innovative schemes to generate livelihood and create opportunities,” he said.
Further, he expressed that due to tireless and unwavering efforts of all the stakeholders, the State has undergone a transformation to become one of the top-performing states within a span of five years. “We have been awarded by the United Nations for bringing reforms in Digital Governance and for the development of rural tourism. We have also been recognised among the top-performing states for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, PMGSY, MGNREGS and other health-sector schemes. We were also ranked as the top-performing State alongside Gujarat and Karnataka in the National Startup Ranking framework 2021,” he said.
He also informed that the govt has completed several long pending projects during these five years and is close to completing several other large infrastructure projects. These include the state’s first 5-star hotel – the Taj Vivanta, the Marriott hotel, and the Ganol Hydroelectric Power project, and completion of India’s largest football stadium using pre-fabricated technology at the P.A. Sangma Sports Complex. Other major projects completed in the last 5 years include the Shillong International Centre for Performing Arts & Culture, the Shillong IT park, and the Shillong-Diengpasoh road.
