Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma undertook a whirlwind tour of infrastructure projects and featured in other events in Garo Hills today.
He visited the Bakdil-run Babadam Primary Health Centre and interacted with the medical staff and lauded them for their ceaseless efforts to provide healthcare to the people of the region. He termed Babadam PHC as an exemplary story of transformation as it had previously been short-staffed, suffered power outages and water shortages, which affected its functioning and performance. Today, the PHC is considered one of the best, supporting over 47 villages in the area.
The government considers the PHC as a successful Public Private Partnership example undertaken by Bakdil. Concerted efforts by the PHC have resulted in the reduction of malaria infection, increase in institutional deliveries by 90 percent and 100 percent immunisation for children in the block. The CM assured the assistance of the government to further improve the functioning of the PHC.
Accompanying the CM on his visit was the rape-accused North Tura MLA, Thomas Sangma, who informed that the PHC will soon be getting a new ambulance to better serve the people of the area.
Earlier in the day the Chief Minister also interacted with the VEC members, Nokmas, etc. during his visit to Rangwalkamgre Integrated Child Development Services centre.
Earlier, Conrad, Thomas and West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh interacted with different cooperative societies and producers of ginger, cashew nut, tea, coffee and jackfruit in a programme organised by the Bakdil NGO for reviewing the progress of the Prime Hub at Jongdikgre village.
Interacting with the members of different producers’ groups, the Chief Minister informed that Rs 5,000 each for every member of the group is being given as seed money and also, while highlighting the success of ginger processing unit at Prime Hub under Songsak block, said that the Meghalaya government is undertaking initiatives for uplifting of the farmers and the producers as well. He also assured to provide necessary help to the producers through the Bakdil NGO.
During the program, the Chief Minister also handed over the cheques to the producer groups and the cooperative societies.
As part of the tour, Conrad also reviewed the progress of PA Sangma Integrated Sports Complex in Tura, which will have a seating capacity of 10,000 along with state-of-the-art facilities, gym, swimming pool, lounge and cafeteria. Expressing his satisfaction with the progress of the work today the Chief Minister said, “Very satisfied with the progress so far. I commend the team that is constantly monitoring the project. We are confident to meet the set target of completion by December 2021”.
Conrad also informed that the stadium is a ‘structural steel column’ base structure, which is the first of its kind in the North East. He further added that the stadium will be one of the best football arenas not only in the North East but in the entire eastern region. The project investment is Rs 125 crore, partly funded by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The Chief Minister also visited Dachimagre village at Rongkhon, North Tura, today to inaugurate the hatchery unit of the Jakkindil Organisation Committee, an organisation of eight self-help groups.
He also informed that the government has identified 30,000 self-help groups that will be assisted by the government to a tune of Rs 200 crore, either by direct funding or through financial institutions.
The other stopover was to inspect the construction of the Tribal Research Institute at Chidekgre near Babadam. The project is funded by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the tune of Rs 41 crore. The institute was the dream of his late father, Purno Sangma. The institute will facilitate research on all North East tribes and their cultures. Once completed, plans are being made to host the North East Tribal Festival at the site.
