SHILLONG, Oct 31:
The Hon’ble Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on 31st October, 2025 held the CM Connect programme at Thangsning village under Mawkynrew Block in East Khasi Hills District, where he interacted directly with residents to hear their concerns, suggestions, and developmental priorities.
The CM Connect initiative is the Meghalaya Government’s flagship citizen engagement platform aimed at strengthening grassroots participation and ensuring that policies and programmes are aligned with local needs. It reflects the government’s vision of inclusive, participatory, and accountable governance, bridging the gap between citizens and administration.
During the interaction, community representatives raised a wide range of issues, including the need for higher secondary schools and a community college, challenges in implementing MNREGA, creation of additional Anganwadi Centres, setting up of a veterinary centre, expansion of the water supply scheme, improvement of road connectivity, and strengthening of power supply networks. Residents also spoke about the need for better healthcare facilities, agricultural support, and cold storage infrastructure.
Responding to these concerns, the Chief Minister announced a series of developmental initiatives across key sectors. He confirmed the sanction of ₹13.35 crore for the construction of the Jongksha–Thynroit Bridge, which will greatly improve connectivity in the region. The Chief Minister also announced approval for the construction of an Artificial Turf Field adjacent to the upcoming Indoor Stadium at Mawkynrew Constituency to promote youth engagement in sports and physical activities.
To address issues in early childhood care, Sangma announced the establishment of 1,700 new Mini Anganwadi Centresacross Meghalaya within the next two years to cover uncovered villages. In the interim, these centres will operate from community spaces within three months. He also sanctioned ₹60 lakh for the repair and maintenance of 20 existing Anganwadi Centres under the State Scheme.
On the healthcare front, the Chief Minister assured that the government is taking steps to upgrade rural health facilities. Under the PHC+ model, two upgraded centres—one each at Jatah and Jongksha—will soon become functional with additional staff and ₹75 lakh in financial support. He also mentioned that three new sub-centres are under construction, with Laitkyrhong nearing completion, and that these facilities will begin operating within the next three months.
Addressing issues related to the power sector, Sangma acknowledged that the power network in the region is outdated. He informed that under the ₹800 crore Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), major renovation work is already in progress and expected to resolve nearly half of Mawkynrew’s power supply issues within the next few months. He added that the state invests nearly ₹900 crore annually in grants to improve the MeECL network and ensure reliable electricity in rural areas.
Water supply was another key topic of discussion. The Chief Minister instructed officials from the PHE Department and MeECL to work closely to find sustainable solutions for areas such as Nongjrong and Sardar Nongjrong, which face severe shortages during the lean season. He emphasized the need for robust operation and maintenance systems and encouraged local ownership of water projects to ensure long-term functionality.
The Chief Minister also addressed agricultural challenges faced by farmers in the region, particularly the lack of quality seeds, fertilizers, and modern equipment. He announced that the CM FARM+ and CM SEEDS schemes will be expanded to benefit more farmers, with increased budget allocation to support diversified and scientific farming. He further mentioned that the government would provide packhouses and solar-powered cold storage facilities with a 50% subsidy and interest-free loans to support perishable crops. Recognizing the contribution of broomstick farmers, Sangma also assured continued support, recalling that the government had purchased 800 kilograms of broom worth ₹1.2 crorefrom 500 local sellers, providing much-needed market stability.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to education, Sangma said that Meghalaya spends over ₹3,500 crore annually on education, with ₹2,000 crore allocated for salaries. He added that 4,500 private aided schools receive ₹1,000 crore in grants, the highest in the North East. To improve efficiency and equity, the government will restructure grants for Adhoc and SSA schools and rationalize school categorization to strengthen quality education delivery. He also informed that the feasibility of setting up new Higher Secondary Schools and a Community College in Mawkynrewwill be examined based on land availability and compliance with educational norms.
In the veterinary sector, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that all three dispensaries in the block have adequate manpower and medical supplies. While the establishment of a full-fledged veterinary hospital is subject to livestock population norms, he assured that the existing facilities will be strengthened and made fully functional under the MSSDSL initiative.
Sangma also touched on labour welfare and rural employment. He urged construction workers to register for labour cards to avail of welfare benefits under the Labour Cess Fund. On issues related to MNREGA, he said the government is coordinating with the Centre to address network-related attendance challenges and expedite Aadhaar-based wage payments.
To improve food distribution, he announced that the Food and Civil Supplies Department will implement a Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) to monitor the movement of food grains from FCI depots to their destinations, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Concluding the event, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma thanked the residents of Mawkynrew for their active participation and valuable suggestions. “Your valuable inputs and cooperation enable us to serve you better. Together, we will build stronger communities and ensure that every household benefits from our development efforts,” he said.
The CM Connect programme continues to serve as a vital platform for bridging communication between the government and the people, ensuring that development in Meghalaya is truly community-driven and inclusive.