Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 13/23

CM INAUGURATES CAPTAIN WILLIAMSON STATE UNIVERSITY AT BALALGRE

In a historic moment for the people of the State in general and Garo Hills in particular, the Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated Meghalaya’s first State University , the Captain Williamson Sangma State University (CWSSU) and its newly constructed building in a scenic sprawling campus at Balalgre village of South West Garo Hills district on Saturday.

Chief Adviser to the Chief Minister, Thomas A. Sangma, Commissioner and Secretary, Education, B.D.R.Tiwari, Secretary, Education, Ambrose Ch. Marak, Vice Chancellor CWSSU, R.D. Shira, Tura Municipal Board Chairman, J.D.Sangma, Chairman KVIB, Subir Marak,Registrar, CWSSU, Heads of various educational institutions and academicians, officials of South West Garo Hills district administration and nokmas and public of the area were also present during the impressive inaugural function.

The Chief Minister dedicated the first State University of Meghalaya, named after the first Chief Minister of the State, Captain Williamson Sangma, to the people in this 50th year of Meghalaya’s statehood.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister said that this was a Technical university with limited courses but because of different circumstances and challenges that we faced during previous years and also to ensure that we have our own State University, the Cabinet has decided that this Technical University should be converted into a full fledged State University. Necessary steps have been taken and process is on for official ordinance to be notified by the Governor, he said.

Responding to the issues raised by the VC on inadequate infrastructure for the University, the Chief Minister admitted that the infrastructure we have is not enough. We need to work towards creating a proper blueprint and a master plan to ensure that this University has all the necessary facilities that are required by the students and for a university to function in a proper manner. Let me assure all of you that is exactly what our plan is, he said.

Having a full fledged University would enable it to bypass the controversial Common University Entrance Test (CUET) and also give colleges within the state the option to affiliate to the State University rather than to NEHU.

Press Release No. 14/23

INAUGURATION OF JENGJAL FARMER'S MARKET

The Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Food and Civil Supplies, Taxation and I.P.R. departments, James P. K. Sangma, today inaugurated the much awaited Farmer’s Market at Jengjal some 36 kms away from Tura. The market with modern outlook and concepts, located on both sides of National Highway 51 at Jengjal in West Garo Hills, was funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. The project was built at the cost of Rs. 9.82 Crores was implemented by the District Rural Development Agency, Tura, which is the nodal department of the project, the works for which commenced in January 2020. The entire build up area, as per the plan is divided into five sections and has 34 rooms in all built in a rectangular double lined fashions, besides a parking bay, a rest room and separate toilets for men and women.

The infrastructure aims to provide storage and marketing of goods and products and also serve as a common platform for the marketing of indigenous and entrepreneurial products of farmers, producers, SHGs and traders not only of Jengjal but also from the adjoining and interconnecting villages. The facility shall also acts as entry points storehouses and gowdowns for bulk storage of local products, namely, arecanut, ginger, pepper, pumpkins etc, prior to their marketing to neighbouring states, besides serving as the main centre for the exchange of goods and cash which in turn, would promote business activities in the area.

Speaking on the occasion, James P.K. Sangma, said that the marketing infrastructure built in a very well thought out plan and in systematic manner was no ordinary market in the sense that there are only two or three such markets in the entire state. The minister said that that state government was giving special attention to the developments of agriculture and its allied services in the state to uplift the status of farmers particularly the marginal farmers by way giving special impetus to the agriculture sector through 1917 agriculture transport and vehicular schemes besides the flagship Focus and Focus Plus schemes wherein the farmers are given financial assistance to buy farming seeds and to enhance the produces of the farmers. Terming the Focus and Focus Plus schemes very helpful for the farmers in increasing of their agricultural and livestock products, he said that government is envisaging of linking all the related and connected services to agriculture to further improve the economy of the farmers in particular and the state in general pointing out some 70 percent of the state total population are depends on agriculture in one way or the other. Describing the new market complex as revolutionary in the field of agriculture in the state, the minister expressed the hope that this type of new marketing strategies and facilities would help sustain all agricultural activities. Urging the people to treat the market complex as their property, he informed that a committee shall be formed involving all the stakeholders to devise and work out plans to run the market in a systematic manner and to sustain it for a long time to come. James, who is the local MLA of the area, also laid the foundation stone for Jengjal Multipurpose Indoor Sports Complex which would come up on the spot adjacent to Farmer's Market to be built under the Khelo India Scheme of Government of India at the cost of Rs. 8.54 crores.

Press Release No. 15/23

CM INAUGURATES TURA BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS AMONG OTHERS IN TURA

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the Tura Beautification Projects for Araimile, Hawakhana, Ringrey and Chandmary Junction at District Auditorium, Tura on 14th January, 2023.

The Chief Minister also virtually inaugurated the Art and Cultural Centre cum Museum at Chidekgre, Babadam which would help in conserving the indigenous tribal culture, practices and history and also aid in promotion of various art and musical forms of our tribes. The Chief Minister then inaugurated the construction of road projects under PWD department from Sasatgre to Sakal Aduma, Sasatgre to Daribokgre, the Viewing Deck, Cafeteria and the Nok A’chik projects under Tourism Department at Daribokgre.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that Tura despite being the headquarters of Garo Hills region and the second largest urban town in the State has not received the kind of development it needed for years and such kind of project is necessary for implementation in key areas and utilized the funding in a proper manner. Stating that the beautification project had changed the outlook of the town which had created a great impact for the people and with the second phase of the ongoing street lighting project of 9 crores the town would have an entire different look, he added. Further, after formally handing over these projects to the Municipal department, the Chief Minister directed the officials of the department to maintain these locations and also urged the citizens to take ownership of the town by ensuring cleanliness and maintain the facelift initiated in a proper manner. He further directed the officials of the District Administration especially the police department to take strict action against those who damage public property.

The Chief Minister also urged the people of Tura to visit the State of the Art Museum at Chidekgre, Babadam and said that when completed it would be one of the best Museum in the State as well as in the Northeast. On the road constructions at Nokrek region, he said that this road would ensure accessibility to the people to visit Nokrek Bio reserve. He also mentioned that in order to protect the bio reserve, the government had proposed to use electric vehicles from Chandigre to Nokrek Biosphere in the coming days.

Moreover, he informed that the State has been awarded for e Proposal from United Nations recently and also mentioned about the success and achievements of the many projects such as Jal Jeevan Mission, MGNREGS, e Governance, etc in the State which had been possible due to continuous monitoring of officers, contractors in implementing these projects.

The Guest of Honour of the function and Adviser to the Chief Minister and MLA North Tura, Thomas A Sangma, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills Swapnil Tembe, Chairman Tura Municipal Board, J D Sangma, CEO, Tura Municipal Board, Rikse Marak were among others who spoke on the occasion while other dignitaries, officials of different departments, attended the function.

Meanwhile, the Advisor to the Chief Minister and MLA North Tura Thomas A Sangma in the presence of Chairman Tura Municipal Board, J D Sangma, Vice Chairman MCCL, Dabo M Marak, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Swapnil Tembe, BDO Rongram C and RD Block Manoranjan Marak and others physically inaugurated the Art and Culture Centre at Chidekgre, Babadam today afternoon. The Nokma of Chidekgre Ronald Marak had donated the land for the said project.