Shillong, Oct 22: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today inaugurated the Integrated Block Development Complex of Gambegre in presence of MLA Mehtab Chandee A Sangma.
Aking Nokma of Gambegre, Chekme Ch Marak joined the dignitaries to cut the ribbon of the block office. She was also felicitated by the Chief Minister for her generous contribution in donating land for construction of the block office. During his visit to Gambegre, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed digital library and the newly opened SBI ATM.
Speaking at the programme, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said in the history of Meghalaya, all 56 C&RD Blocks are being upgraded with new infrastructure.
He said maximum Government schemes are disbursed through the block office and it was important that block offices have proper infrastructure. On a phased manner, Government has been inaugurating the new infrastructure.
“During my visit to different parts of the State, I witnessed poor infrastructure in block offices, which led to conceptualisation of new infrastructure for block offices,” he said.
Explaining why it has been named Integrated Block Development Office, he said the idea is to deliver all public services, including issuance of caste certificate, EPIC from the integrated block office. “We want to bring public services to the block level through use of technology,” he said.
He informed that Government will also open CM Connect Centre in the integrated block office complex. “We have opened CM Connect Centres in different blocks and Gambegre will soon get the CM Connect Centre. CM Connect Centre will facilitate ease of services for the people for various schemes and services, including registration of grievances,” he said. He urged officers to work with compassion and sincerity to serve the people.
“In last two years, we have worked for Gambegre and initiated various development works. MLA Mehtab Chandee has been bringing out various concerns of Gambegre area, and we have been able to initiate development works. We have lot of work to do, but we are committed to serve,” he added.
The Block Integrated Development Complex of Gambegre C&RD Block has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.00 crore. It is one of 40 Block Integrated Development Complexes sanctioned in 2022-23. Of the 40 complexes, 34 have been physically completed and remaining six are close to completion, with cumulative physical progress at 99.53 percent.
Garo Hills accounts for 17 of the 40 complexes, the largest share of any region. In West Garo Hills, complexes at Gambegre, Selsella, Rongram, Tikrikilla and Dalu are complete, and Dadenggre complex is at 99 percent. Tikrikilla complex was inaugurated on 2nd April 2025 and Dalu complex on 17th April 2026.
Under a separate 2021-22 sanction, Demdema Block Office in West Garo Hills was completed and inaugurated on 3rd June 2025. A new complex for Batabari C&RD Block, created in 2022, has been sanctioned at Rs. 4.50 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Mehtab Chandee A Sangma said Government serves public through Block Office and it is the channel through which Government implements projects.
“Chief Minister has been very generous to take up ambitious project to upgrade all block offices across Meghalaya. Government has been very committed to serve people and intervention to upgrade rural infrastructure has been a key priority area,” she said.
The Block Office is the first point of contact between a rural household and the Government. Schemes for rural roads, housing, sanitation, livelihoods and employment reach villages through Block administration. A permanent building allows Block administration and line departments to work from one location. Citizens can complete their work in a single visit, and programme implementation can be coordinated from one office.
