Retired soldier, not Chief Minister inaugurates new government office in Sohiong

Shillong, July 18: In a departure from official convention, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday asked a retired Army sepoy—not a minister or a senior bureaucrat—to inaugurate a newly built government office in Sohiong, saying public infrastructure should be dedicated by the people it is meant to serve.

The ₹2.77-crore Block Integrated Development Office at Sohiong C&RD Block was inaugurated by Pyntngenlang Nongrang of Nongur village, who served for 17 years in the 1st Assam Regiment of the Indian Army, during a programme where the Chief Minister also inaugurated the CM Connect Centre and announced development projects worth nearly ₹146 crore.

“While it has been the tradition that government buildings and infrastructure are inaugurated by the chief guest or dignitaries, I believe they should instead be inaugurated by people from within the community. It gives local people the honour and makes the occasion more meaningful,” Sangma said.

Calling it a “special day” for Sohiong, the Chief Minister dedicated eight completed projects worth ₹5.48 crore to the public and laid the foundation stones for nine new projects valued at ₹140.74 crore, covering drinking water supply, rural roads, tourism infrastructure, irrigation and sports facilities.

Among the major projects announced are the ₹34.53-crore augmentation of the Greater Sohiong Water Supply Scheme, two rural road projects worth ₹20.58 crore, the Dewlieh Mawrisnai Flow Irrigation Project, a futsal court, and tourism infrastructure at Kynroh Viewpoint, Sohiong Viewpoint, Nongkasen Tree House and Lum Diengiei. Retired soldier, not Chief Minister inaugurates new government office in Sohiong

The government also inaugurated several community-focused facilities, including the CM Connect Centre, a Block Resource Centre for schools, digital libraries and internet-enabled learning hubs in 13 villages, a plastic waste management unit, collective marketing centres for farmers and an Agricab storage and marketing facility aimed at improving farm incomes.

During the CM Connect public interaction, residents raised concerns over soil erosion caused by heavy rainfall, delays in the Chief Minister’s Solar Mission, poor mobile connectivity in several villages, drinking water shortages, lack of cold storage facilities, inadequate market infrastructure, crop and livestock insurance, and the need for more government schools and vocational training centres.

Responding to the grievances, Sangma said several issues were already under implementation while assuring residents that the remaining concerns would be taken up by the respective departments.

Describing CM Connect as more than a grievance redressal platform, the Chief Minister said governance should be centred on listening to people and responding to their needs.

“Governance is a continuous process. It is important to keep the people first while maintaining a clear vision and goal,” he said.

Community and Rural Development Minister Sosthenes Sohtun, Sohiong MLA Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah and senior district officials were present at the programme. Cheques were also distributed to village organisations in recognition of their community service, while sanction orders were handed over to several self-help groups.

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