Amapti, Sept 12: Government support for grassroots livelihood development and public-service delivery was strengthened in South West Garo Hills with the distribution of mini incubator machines to best-performing Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and computers to Adult Education Centres (AECs) under Purakhasia and Zikzak C&RD Blocks at a programme held at the Purakhasia MFC Building on Friday.
The initiative was aimed at taking livelihood support and digital access closer to rural communities, enabling SHGs to expand poultry-based income-generating activities while equipping community institutions with digital resources to facilitate access to online Government services, information and educational opportunities.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Ian Botham K. Sangma, Hon’ble MLA, 55-Salmanpara Constituency, stressed the importance of creating sustainable economic opportunities for the State’s youth. He observed that Government employment alone could not meet the aspirations of the growing workforce and highlighted the potential of entrepreneurship and the private sector. He said the Government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, was working towards empowering youth through mission-mode schemes and initiatives that promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
The mini incubator machines were distributed to best-performing SHGs to strengthen poultry-related enterprises, improve production practices and diversify household income sources. The intervention was intended to enable SHGs to make productive use of improved technology and build more sustainable livelihood activities.
The computers provided to AECs were intended to serve as community-level digital access points. Shri R. Z. D. Shira, Project Director and Additional Deputy Commissioner, South West Garo Hills, emphasised that the computers would enable Village Education Committees (VECs) and local communities to access online Government services through the internet, thereby improving digital inclusion and bringing public services closer to rural residents.
He also highlighted the need for responsible use and proper upkeep of the equipment. Referring to the challenges faced by the newly established Purakhasia C&RD Block, he said the block was operating with limited office infrastructure and manpower and informed that two Technical Assistants from Zikzak C&RD Block would be deputed to strengthen technical capacity at Purakhasia.
Shri Rakesh A. Sangma, Hon’ble MDC, 7-Babelapara Constituency, underscored the importance of ensuring the long-term functionality of the computers. He suggested that VECs could collect a nominal fee towards maintenance so that the facilities remained operational and accessible to the community.
Dr. Violine A. Sangma, District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Officer, South West Garo Hills, informed the gathering about the Government’s cattle insurance initiative for farmers. She stated that insurance coverage of up to Rs. 30,000 per animal was being made available, with the current coverage period valid until the end of September.
The programme was organised by the Purakhasia C&RD Block in collaboration with the District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department and the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS), South West Garo Hills. The collaboration reflected the coordinated approach of different Government departments and rural development institutions in extending livelihood, digital and welfare interventions to communities at the grassroots.
The programme was attended by officials from the C&RD Blocks, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, MSRLS, SHGs, VECs and community institutions.
