Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 267/12

CM INAUGURATES EAST JAINTIA HILLS DISTRICT

Shillong the 31st July 2012: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma today formally inaugurated the East Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya, Khliehriat by unveiling a plaque to mark the auspicious occasion at the GAD complex Khliehriat in the presence of the Union Minister of Water Resources, Mr Vincent H Pala, Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya, Dr D D Lapang and Deputy Chief Ministers, Mr Rowell Lyngdoh and Mr Bindo Lanong, Ministers, Dr R C Laloo, Mr H D R Lyngdoh, Mr Prestone Tynsong, Mr A T Mondal, Mrs Ampareen Lyngdoh, Mr Shitlang Pale, Mr J A Lyngdoh, Mr A L Hek and Parliamentary Secretaries, Mr Nehlang Lyngdoh and Mr L Rymbui and MLA Mr ECB Bamon and also the Chief Secretary, Mr W M S Pariat and Additional Chief Secretary, Mr P B O Warjri among other Members of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and senior Government Officials and traditional heads of the area.

It may be mentioned that Khliehriat was created as an Administrative Unit on 14th August 1976 and it was upgraded to a Civil Sub Division on 27th May 1982. The total area of the new District is 2,115 Sq Kms with a population of 1, 22,436 residing in 206 villages. The district has 2 C&RD Blocks with headquarter at Khliehriat and Saipung. There are also 2 Assembly constituencies in the District, 5-Sutnga Saipung and 6-Khliehriat constituency. The road length in the district under the Central Division of National Highway is 92Kms while under the State Road (NEC Division) is 513Kms. The major minerals found in the district are Coal, Limestone and Fireclay and there are 10 cement plants in the district.

Speaking at the inauguration of the East Jaintia Hills District at Khliehriat, Meghalaya chief minister Dr. Mukul Sangma urged the people of the new district to extend their support to the government and thus enable it to serve them and fulfil their aspirations. Stating that there have been too many instances where the government has not been permitted to do its work, he urged the people not to waste time by resorting to agitations. In this regard, Dr. Sangma said that there has been remarkable change in the last two years which has enabled the government to perform its duties.

Using a small family as an example of efficient management, the chief minister informed that Meghalaya has adopted this concept with regard to governance a result of which is that Meghalaya has decided to create four new districts. Stressing on the fact that rapid and people centric development can only come about with small districts in place, Dr. Sangma said that this is but the beginning of a long journey of development. Likening the new East Jaintia Hills district to a new – born baby, Dr. Sangma said that it demands the attention of both the people and the government and called for a partnership between the two to make the district one of the most vibrant and progressive districts of the state.

With regard to the abundance of natural resources available in the district, Dr. Sangma said that a balance between exploitation of these resources and preserving the environment is the need of the hour. He also appealed to the people of the new district to step forward and offer a helping hand to the government with regard to the construction of the DCs office and said that with their help, a complex where every one of their needs can be catered to under one roof, is not impossible. He stated that the government has enough money for such a project and all that is needed from the people is for them to be ready to provide the land that the government needs for this project.

Dr. Sangma also called for speedy implementation and completion of projects without cost and time overruns. Stating that the Government of India has been very supportive of suggestions and projects proposed by the Government of Meghalaya, Dr. Sangma said that this support from the central government has come about because of speedy completion and implementation of past projects in the state and Dr. Sangma called upon the people of Jaintia Hills to maintain this trend. Stressing on the need for a railway line in the region, Dr. Sangma said that Assam is benefitting from Meghalaya’s coal and the rapid development that Meghalaya’s neighbour is experiencing could also be seen in Meghalaya. Stating that railways will be a boon to the economy of the state, he urged the people to be more accommodating in this regard.

“The youth need the best of education,” said Dr. Sangma while adding that the Asian Development Bank has agreed to provide a 90 percent grant and 10 percent loan of around Rs.500 crores to Meghalaya. This money is to be used for education, health care and youth oriented programmes, Dr. Sangma said. With regard to education, much to the jubilation of the students present, Dr. Sangma announced that the Government of Meghalaya has decided to provincialize the Jaintia Eastern College.