Shillong, April 9 : In an effort to gain a firsthand understanding of various government initiatives and to listen to the concerns of the people, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma visited Jatah and Syntung villages under Mawkynrew Block in East Khasi Hills on Thursday.
During his visit to Jatah, he spoke to the beneficiaries of the Jatah Nongklyer Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) and members of different Self Help Groups (SHGs). The members shared their experiences on their journey towards economic prosperity through interventions that enabled them to start income-generating activities. While interacting with the Chief Minister, they sought his intervention for the establishment of a processing unit to add value to their products.
Interacting with local residents and community leaders, the Chief Minister spoke at length about the government’s commitment to inclusive development. “We want our villages to be included in the growth story of Meghalaya; hence, a lot of intervention is being made particularly in rural areas, targeting women, youth, and the farming community. We want every section of our society to be involved as we take Meghalaya forward,” he said.
Acknowledging the involvement of dorbars, SHGs, IVCS, and other stakeholders, the Chief Minister said that development should reach the last mile. “Shared responsibilities between different stakeholders will ensure that we build self-sufficient and resilient communities,” he added.
He also encouraged the youth and women to actively participate in community-driven initiatives and take ownership of projects.
Praising the efforts of the Jatah IVCS, he said that integrated models are examples of how rural economies can thrive through collective efforts in tourism, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. “Our goal is not only to create infrastructure but also to build institutions that can sustain livelihoods for generations. The role of SHGs, IVCS, and village communities in this is central.”
At Syntung, the villagers accorded him a warm welcome with a very lively song. He was then taken on a tour of Wah Rishi waterfall. The scenic beauty of the crystal-clear water provided a perfect setting, where the Chief Minister decided to jam with the performers.
Enthusiastic about the band’s unique combination of guitars, violins, drums, and mandolins, he announced ₹5 lakh for the purchase of new musical instruments. “Music is not just culture—it is identity, it is expression, and it can be an economic activity. I am proud to be a member of this band today,” he said with a smile.
He also visited the strawberry plantation at Syntung village and interacted with the beneficiaries. A total of 115 beneficiaries are involved in the village, producing some of the finest strawberries in the country. In the state, a total of 132 hectares of land is under strawberry cultivation, spread across different regions, and the production is close to 10 MT annually. Meghalaya’s yield accounts for about 4.26 percent of the overall production in the country.
At Syntung, the Chief Minister interacted with the villagers and beneficiaries of different schemes. He also informed the gathering about CM-Assure, a programme that responds to market price fluctuations which undermine the financial security of farmers. He said that the scheme aims to provide fair remuneration to farmers until the market price for a specific commodity stabilizes or the allocated quota is met.
Both the villages are into broom grass cultivation.
Hearing the grievances of various groups and individuals, he announced ₹5 lakh for the construction of an SHG office in the village. “Strong community institutions empower people, especially women, and help them access financial services, training, and markets,” he added.
Later, the Chief Minister inspected the Syntung Sub-Center and expressed his appreciation for the work done by health workers in remote areas. He also informed that the government is committed to upscaling health infrastructure and providing accommodation facilities for health department professionals.
He also inspected the Syntung Football Ground and visited Syntung Upper Primary School, which currently has 151 students and 8 teachers. He interacted with students and teachers and appreciated the school’s efforts in providing holistic education. He announced ₹3 lakh under the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF) for the purchase of musical instruments and assured financial support for infrastructure improvement.
