BAGHMARA, November 27: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma yesterday, distributed pension to beneficiaries under the Chief MinisterⳠSocial Assistance Scheme and inaugurated the Enterprise Facilitation Centre (EFC) at Rongara C and RD Block in South Garo Hills. Solar lamps under the Chief Minister Programme for the Promotion of Renewable Energy and Conservation were also distributed to school students by Dr Sangma during the inauguration.
Addressing the gathering Dr Sangma spoke on the government flagship programme the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme (IBDLP) and said that it aimed at promoting livelihood generation activities by integrating different line departments.
He said that the EFC would train entrepreneurs in various livelihood generation activities enabling them to avail schemes under the IBDLP. Urging concerned officers not to deny schemes to applicants he told the gathering that the government was not looking for beneficiaries but for partners to promote entrepreneurship in the region.
Distributing pensions to beneficiaries under the Chief Minister Social Assistance Scheme (SAS) Dr Sangma informed that the SAS was meant to benefit widows, old and infirm and the disabled. The scheme will enable them to live an independent and dignifies lives said Dr Sangma.
Lamenting the unsatisfactory SSLC and HSSLC results in Garo Hills Dr Sangma said that special coaching classes have been sanctioned for students in the region. He stated that needy students can avail the coaching facilities which will be given by NGOs or educational institutions who have partnered with the government. Career Guidance and counselling through mapping of skills for effective direction of the youth have been launched and guidance cum coaching for civil services aspirants will also be launched soon. He at length spoke on the governmentⳊTransparent Recruitment Policy and stated that it was an endeavour of the government to eliminate corrupt practices and provide equal opportunities of employment to the youth.
Emphasizing on state-wide integration Dr Sangma said that the government has sanctioned vast sums to the Art and Culture Department for organizing various youth engaging competitions and festivals to promote integration through culture⮠He later urged the people of the region to make good use of the funds provided and organise festival in the lines of the 100 Drums Wangala festival to attract foreign and domestic tourists. Elaborating on various government interventions Dr Sangma stated that he had urged concerned departments to rear more cows as he would be bringing chocolate experts from Belgium to train women and especially mothers how to make chocolate and take it up as a sustainable livelihood generation activity.
Others who spoke at the occasion were Parliamentary Secretary, Francis Pondit R Sangma, local MDC and GHADC Chairman, Alphonse Sangma, State Planning Board Co Chairman, Billy Kid A Sangma, South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner in charge, D D Sangma and Block Development Officer, Dimse Sangma.(SP News)
