Meghalaya today got its 47 community and rural block in Siju under South Garo Hills district.
The Siju C&RD block with 135 villages under it will now be the fifth block in the district after Baghmara, Gasuapara, Ronggara and Chokpot blocks.
Dedicating the new block to the people of Siju, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma at the inaugural function said that establishment of the block is a befitting tribute to Captain Williamson A. Sangma, the founding Chief Minister of Meghalaya, who hailed from Siju.
“Captain Sangma had great love and concern for the tribal hill people, who led the movement for the creation of a State we can proudly call home. Today, we are celebrating the golden jubilee of our State and it is a historic and apt occasion that we are establishing the Siju C&RD block in its native place,” the Chief Minister said.
Stating that in 50 years much could have been achieved but due to circumstances Meghalaya still lags behind compared to other States, he said, “We have to envision a plan for the next 50 years and work accordingly to ensure that while we celebrate 100 years of Statehood we have a progressive State with equal opportunities for our people.”
“It is imperative that we lay down the vision and roadmap to see the Meghalaya we want in the next 50 years”, he added.
A crowd of over 3000 people attended the historic moment at Siju, while Chief Minister accompanied by Deputy Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Timothy D Shira, MLAs Rakkam Sangma, Marcuise Marak, Jim Sangma, Rupert Momin and Chief Executive Member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council unveiled the plaque that marked the establishment of new C&RD block.
The dignitaries also visited the temporary block office at Siju. The construction of the new C&RD block building will start soon.
The Chief Minister further said that the MDA Government is committed to ensure overall growth in the State and the creation of the new Siju block will go a long way in ensuring better implementation of different schemes and programmes.
He also said that his government has laid overall focus for ensuring economic prosperity of the people and has launched several initiatives. He said that Focus and Focus plus, the biggest welfare programme for the farmers will continue for the next 10 years to ensure financial stability amongst the farming communities.
During his visit to Siju, he also handed over FOCUS plus cards to the beneficiaries and handed over cheques to women led SHGs an amount of Rs 28 lakhs under Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society – MSRLS.
He also distributed piglets under the Rural Backyard Piggery and Poultry scheme-PROGRESS, 1392 piglets were distributed to 348 farmers and 2500 kuroiler birds were distributed to 50 poultry farmers.
For youth development programs to be carried forward by youth organisations to Siju, funds of Rs 1 lakhs was distributed through YESS Meghalaya program.
He also inaugurated the Collective Marketing Centre of the Gangga Awe IVCS in Siju funded under the Meghalaya Livelihood Access to Market Project, considered as one of the best performing IVCS in the State. He also inaugurated the Cold Storage Unit provisioned to them. This will aid the farmers to save their perishable produce and prevent wastage and losses.
