Shillong, October 17 : The Government of Meghalaya has embarked on a transformative journey towards socio-economic progress and environmental stewardship through its Integrated Programme. This holistic initiative encompasses the distribution of CM ELEVATE Cheques, a testament to the state’s commitment to entrepreneurship and economic growth.
On October 17, 2023, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma distributed CM ELEVATE Cheques to 37 beneficiaries at the District Library Auditorium in Mynthong, Jowai, West Jaintia Hills. The beneficiaries included 17 YESS Meghalaya beneficiaries, 10 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and 10 Green Meghalaya beneficiaries. The total amount disbursed was Rs 4,90,000 for YESS program, Rs 66,00,000- SHGs, and Rs 54,09,058- PES.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Sangma said, “I have always maintained that development is incomplete if every citizen and every community in society and part of our state does not move forward with us together, then the development is incomplete. CM-Elevate is a program for entrepreneurship. In the last five years, we have supported 3000 entrepreneurs in different ways. We have a huge workforce. We have projects for communities, for self-help groups, for sports groups and for anybody who wishes to be an entrepreneur. The Cinema Hall scheme is meant to ensure that every district should have one cinema hall, government should not run cinema halls, government must run government not cinema halls, private sector will run cinema halls and government will support. We should have a very good state-of-the-art convention center in every district headquarter.”
Chief Minister Sangma also emphasized the importance of economic empowerment of women and environmental protection. He said, “Economic empowerment of women is important, the self-help group movement is one of the most powerful ways to economically empower our women.” On the YESS Meghalaya program, he said, “The government will give support upto Rs 1 lakh to do your activity. Out of the 1155 youths we supported in the first tranche and the first group in the state, Jaintia hills alone has 389 groups got the benefit which means in the whole state Jaintia Hills got the highest support from YESS Meghalaya. Almost Rs 1 crore plus was distributed among these groups.”
Turning to Green Meghalaya program, the Chief Minister said, “Any community, any group, any individual who wishes to protect his or her or their forest cover, Meghalaya government will pay you Rs 15, 000 per hectare to not disturb the forests. We have 40,000 hectares under Protected Areas under the PES program and government has given upto Rs 40 crores as cheque and cash to communities to protect this every year.”
The Meghalaya Integrated Programme is a commendable initiative that is poised to make a significant difference in the lives of the people of Meghalaya. By empowering entrepreneurs, supporting women’s economic development, and investing in environmental protection, the program is laying the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous future for the state.
