Shillong, Nov 10: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today inaugurated the year-long Golden Jubilee celebration of Amlarem Civil Sub-Division at Amlarem Playground, West Jaintia Hills District, marking fifty years since its creation in 1976.
The programme was attended by ministers, MLAs, MDCs, government officials, traditional leaders, students and residents from across the sub-division.
As part of the celebration, the Chief Minister unveiled the foundation stones for two major projects — the Multi-Purpose Hall at Amlarem (Rs 345 lakh) and the Multi-Purpose Hall at Amlariang, Nongtalang (Rs 74 lakh) — aimed at strengthening community infrastructure in the region.
In his address, the Chief Minister, paying tributes to the founding leaders (L) H Enowell Pohshna and (L) Johndeng Pohrmen, along with Renswit Jungai and Welbin Jungai, who donated the land for the Civil Sub-Division Office also acknowledged the contributions of past and present officers and citizens in shaping Amlarem’s progress over the decades.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to bring administration closer to the people, the Chief Minister said that new Civil Sub-Divisions and C&RD Blocks have been created while existing ones are being strengthened. “Every one of the state’s 46 Block offices now has a new building and 10 new blocks have been established with full infrastructure,” he stated.
The Chief Minister also announced a sanction for the Mini Secretariat for Amlarem and highlighted developmental projects like water supply for which additional funds will be sanctioned and sanction of funds for internal roads construction and renovation of the Sub-Division. He also announced Rs 20 lakhs from Chief Minister’s Special Grant towards the year long golden jubilee celebrations.
He also shared plans for a Digital Front Office System at the block level to allow citizens to apply for essential government services locally.
Emphasising education as a pillar of growth, the Chief Minister lauded Mission Education, launched under the leadership of Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui. He said through the mission nearly 80 per cent of all government schools have been renovated or newly constructed.
Rymbui reflected on Amlarem’s humble beginnings. He credited the progress to the cooperation between the people and the government and urged the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments to revive orange cultivation in the War Jaintia region, once known for exporting oranges to Bangladesh
Later, the Chief Minister inspected the ongoing construction of the artificial turf at Ladjaplem and expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of the project and expressed optimism that the project would be completed soon, providing opportunities for the youth of Amlarem and neighbouring areas to train and participate in organised sporting activities.
He also visited Umladhur village to inspect the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), funded by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs at Rs 45 crore being implemented by WAPCOS Ltd., New Delhi.
He also directed the contractors and departmental officers to expedite the remaining works so that the school can become operational by the year 2026, enabling students to begin their studies at the earliest.
