Tura, July 8: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma today announced a slew of measures to transform socio-economic development in the rural areas.
He informed that government has designed a model to ensure promotion of livelihood, encourage entrepreneurs and provide market opportunity with neigbouring Bangladesh.
Addressing gatherings at Zizak, Ampati and Betasing in South West Garo Hills and Selsella in West Garo Hills, he said, “Government is working out modalities to tap different opportunities for promotion of rural economy and growth”.
He also announced an ambitious cluster development project on livestock dairy mission in three blocks of Garo hills at Zikzak, Betasing and Selsella and three in Khasi – Jaintia hills at Mylliem, Umsning and Mawrynkneng.
Under the scheme, a total of 5000 beneficiaries will be selected from each development blocks for rearing cattle. Each beneficiary will be allotted a pair of cattle.
“Government will provide 60 per cent subsidy and the beneficiary will have to contribute 10 per cent and 30 per cent will be from the bank”, he said.
Terming that the scheme will be a landmark in the history of the state for economic empowerment of the rural areas, he said, “We will ensure that there will be surplus milk production, so that milk processing unit can be started. We will also identify entrepreneurs by giving them support and subsidy to set up their units”.
The chief minister hoped that the scheme will enable growth in the rural area vis-à-vis provide multiple employment opportunities.
In floriculture sector, Sangma declared that Daru, Rongkhai and Dilni in South West Garo Hills district will be promoted as “Dendrobrium valley” for promotion of the orchids.
“There is a huge market for flowers in Bangladesh and our people can harness this opportunity”, he said.
Most parts of South West Garo Hills district shares its proximity with Bangladesh.
“We have held consultation with New Delhi and Bangladeshi counterpart for initiating the export of the orchids”, he added.
Meghalaya government has proposed setting up of 22 border haats in the state, of which 4 has been sanctioned. The existing haats are at Kaliachar in South West Garo Hills and at Balat in Jaintia hills.
On promotion of textile industry, he said, “At least 3000 women in each block along the border areas of Garo hills will be trained, so that a manufacturing unit can be set up”.
“We have wooed multi-national company to make investment, however, we have to provide them with trained and skilled man-power”, he said.
Meghalaya Skill Development Council headed by chief minister is working out a blue print to ensure that the trained workforce is created in the next one year.(SP News)
