Nongmadan hamlet in Smit has become a little easier on the eye after a filthy drain was covered over and turned into a community path under a rural employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGS) project.
With just 120 job card holders, this was considered to be a herculean task, but thanks to the dedication of the public the project was completed and was inaugurated by State Planning Board Chairman Lambor Malngiang today. The project was completed at a cost of almost Rs 30 lakh.
The drain was an eyesore for the village as well as those from farther afield who visited Smit market.
Mawryngkneng Block Development Officer, Ronnie Wahlang, stated at the inauguration that nothing is impossible as far as MGNREGS is concerned if there is unity of purpose and commitment to deliver. He lauded the job card holders, most of whom are women, for having transformed their dream of a clean village into reality.
Malngiang heaped praise on the Village Employment Council (VEC) and the job card holders for having achieved the feat which was considered impossible until last year. The legislator expressed satisfaction at the work executed by the Nongmadan VEC and implored upon nearby villages to emulate the example set by this VEC.
Meanwhile, Malngiang also inaugurated the Community Hall of Laitkor Dorbar Pyllun at Laitkor.
The project, which commenced in 2016, was initiated by the late HS Shylla during his term as Nongkrem MDC. Implemented by the Khasi Hills Autonomoust District Council, an amount of Rs 15 lakh was sanctioned towards the project but could not be complete, leading to Malngiang, the present MLA and MDC, to try and get it finished, which was accomplished with a further Rs 10 lakh sanctioned under the Under Excluded Areas scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Malngiang expressed happiness over the completion of the community hall and informed that another Rs 45 lakh has been allocated for the hall’s extension to include a counselling center and commercial complex.
