Shillong: The third Block Level Community Interaction Program under CM-CONNECT was held at Students’ Field, Ampati, Betasing, Community & Rural Development Block, Southwest Garo Hills on Thursday.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma held an interactive session with the public of Betasing in Southwest Garo Hills. Thousands gathered at the program to hear the CM address and act on their grievances.
In his speech, the CM said, “We are ensuring that the schemes and the program meant for the people at the grassroots, are they receiving those schemes and benefits or not? Is there any shortcoming in the work that we are doing? Can we do small things to improve the overall development and living standards of the people at the grassroots level.”
CM Sangma informed that in the last 5 CM-Connect programs, two at district level and three at the village levels, he has seen that people produce basic issues and problems which do not require too much of intervention, but which requires the government to streamline the process. He said, “I expect that we will be able to improve the overall governance and performance of this government and the administration by a huge percentage by simply listening to the people and connecting with the people and trying to resolve the issues of the people with the intention of helping them.”
A resident of Ampati Songma highlighted power shortages and fluctuations to the Hon’ble CM. MeECL officials stated that renovating the feeder line is necessary and mentioned about lineman shortage due to lightning issues. The Hon’ble CM called for short, medium, and long-term solutions, including addressing manpower issues at the state level, clearing forests before monsoon, and recognizing that one lineman is insufficient. Long-term solutions were suggested through the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Responding to another complainant about the road condition from Ampati to Purakhasia through the Stadium, the Executive Engineer Public Works Department said that the road will be developed through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) third phase. The official was requested to have the road temporarily repaired. The public was informed that some more workforce requirement for PWD is needed in the form of drivers and assistant engineers.
As for Jal Jeevan Mission, it was learnt that there was lack of water supply at Ampati Songma, the Public Health Engineering (PHE) official informed that the RCC tank will be completed in a month and half and the issue will be solved.
A grievance concerning incomplete irrigation project was also apprised, where landowners said that they were not getting sufficient space for canals. The Executive Engineer (EE) of Water Resources informed that December 2024 is expected to be the completion date. Hon’ble CM shall start the plan for additional culverts needed under the project.
A.T. Mondal, Community and Rural Development (C & RD) Minister, Hema Nayak, Deputy Commissioner, Southwest Garo Hills District, several state, district, and Block level representatives of all departments were also present at the programme.
The Chief Minister later distributed cheques, and inaugurated the Block Integrated Development Complex, Betasing C& RD block.
