Shillong, Oct 30: The A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) has asked the Meghalaya government to clarify when Tura will be officially declared the Winter Capital, calling it a long-standing demand rooted in equitable development and administrative decentralisation.
AHAM noted that the demand was discussed in the Assembly on March 6, 2025, when Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma moved a resolution for Tura as Winter Capital. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had supported constituting an all-party committee, following which the resolution was withdrawn. The committee was formed on April 2, 2025.
The organisation said while the constitution of the committee was a step forward, there has been no clarity on its progress. AHAM has sought to know whether the committee has completed its work, whether its report has been submitted, and when the Cabinet will take a final decision.
AHAM said declaring Tura as Winter Capital is a matter of political will and should not be kept pending indefinitely in the name of feasibility. It said the demand is not for occasional Assembly sittings in Tura but for meaningful decentralisation with Tura functioning as Winter Capital for six months, backed by infrastructure and departments.
Stating that governance remains heavily concentrated in Shillong, AHAM said establishing Tura as Winter Capital would improve access to government, reduce travel burden for people of Garo Hills, and boost economic activity and jobs.
The group also said the demand reflects the vision of statehood pioneers like Captain Williamson A Sangma and is not against any region, but for balanced growth.
AHAM urged the Chief Minister to make the committee’s findings public, explain any delay, and announce a definite timeline for declaration and implementation.
