Shillong, July 1: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday reiterated that the true purpose of governance is to improve the lives of people, saying development can only be considered meaningful when it directly benefits citizens.
Speaking at a felicitation programme organised by the Joint Action Committee to acknowledge the Government’s One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for commercial vehicles, the Chief Minister said the state government remains committed to people-centric governance alongside infrastructure development.
During the event, the organisers felicitated Chief Minister Sangma along with Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Snaiwbhalang Dhar for their role in implementing the OTS scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma said politicians are often criticised when problems arise, but their efforts are seldom recognised when meaningful solutions are delivered.
“When there is a problem, politicians are seen as the biggest villains. But when solutions are delivered, very rarely are those efforts acknowledged. That is why this felicitation means a lot to us,” he said.
The Chief Minister stressed that development is not limited to the construction of roads, buildings or stadiums, but must ultimately improve the everyday lives of ordinary people.
“For us, development is not just about big roads, buildings or stadiums. Every decision must translate into real impact in the lives of our people. That is the true measure of governance,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of the OTS scheme, Sangma said the government took the difficult decision to write off nearly ₹850 crore to ₹1,000 crore, prioritising the welfare of nearly 16,000 truckers and their families, affecting an estimated two lakh people.
“This was not an easy decision. That revenue could have been used elsewhere. But we realised that nearly 16,000 truckers and their families were directly affected. We made this decision keeping them in mind,” he said.
Responding to criticism that the government is focused only on large infrastructure projects, Sangma said such perceptions ignore several welfare-oriented initiatives undertaken by the state.
“Yes, we are investing in big infrastructure. But we are equally committed to people-centric decisions, whether it is resolving long-pending issues of teachers, supporting farmers, or empowering entrepreneurs,” he said.
He added that while major infrastructure projects project Meghalaya’s growth potential, their real success lies in improving the quality of life of citizens.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the role of Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong in raising the concerns of the transport community and helping bring the OTS proposal before the government.
Calling for collective responsibility, Sangma urged stakeholders to maintain financial discipline and prevent future backlogs while assuring that the government would continue strengthening governance systems.
“We are not perfect, but we are committed to learning, improving, and keeping people at the centre of every decision. With the support of our citizens, we will continue moving Meghalaya forward,” he said.
