Shillong, Sept 30: Living up to its name as a state known for its matrilineal society, Meghalaya on Thursday witnessed the first female from the indigenous (Khasi-Jaintia) tribe, Rebecca Suchiang take over as the state Chief Secretary.
Suchiang is also the second female Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, after PP Trivedi who was the Chief Secretary in the late 80s.
Retiring from his post as Chief Secretary, MS Rao handed over his responsibilities to Suchiang in the presence of the bureaucrats from various departments. Rao took charge on 31 December 2019 and retired on 30 September 2021.
Speaking with mediapersons, Suchiang said she is honoured to get the opportunity to take the chair of the Chief Secretary.
“I am glad that I am the first indigenous (Khasi-Jaintia) lady as the Chief Secretary but I won’t be the only one and there will be many men and women from Meghalaya,” said Suchiang.
The new Chief Secretary also stated that there will be challenges in her tenure but she was sure with the help of colleagues and officers she will be able to push the agenda of good governance.
Education sector top priority for Suchiang
Asked about her priorities, Suchiang said that there were many but mainly education sector since the SDG index is low. She mentioned that they have done a lot and have sanctioned for upgradation of infrastructure of 200 govt schools.
“I will personally monitor and ensure these projects are completed on time and check and identify where the areas we have dropped and try and improve which are lacking in SDG ,” she said.
Health sector and MeECL reforms
Suchiang, who is also the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of MeECL, said she would also like to push the agenda for reforms at MeECL, both the distribution and integration of the company.
Adding that health was also another factor, she opined that next year the government should increase the expenditure on health sector so that they can improve human capital.
“There are few projects which are not taken up and stalled. I plan to put in place a mechanism where we should be able to monitor such projects – existing, stalled projects and also projects which we are going to do in the future, to ensure that it goes smoothly so that there is no cost overrun and time overrun. There are others and I will try and work on it,” stated Suchiang.
‘Always worked hard and will continue to work hard’
Asked how she plans to work and if she will be able to be a better Chief Secretary than the past Chief Secretaries, bursting into laughter Suchiang said that she can never be better than the Chief Secretaries that have been there. “I’ve learnt so much from the past Chief Secretary, it is not that I will do better for all you know I may not even do well but will put whatever experience I have gained to good effect and I am confident I will do well,” she stated.
She added that she has always worked hard and will continue to work hard, and that after becoming a Chief Secretary it is not that she will go slow. She also intends to push the officers to do even better.
Assam – Meghalaya boundary issue
Speaking on the border row between Assam – Meghalaya, Suchiang said it is an ongoing issue. Now that talks are being held and committees are yet to submit the report, things will move forward once the report is submitted.
She also assured that she will ensure that there is no untoward incident as for the law and order situation is concerned in Meghalaya.
