Shillong: The Estimates Committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, chaired by Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, convened on December 16 in Shillong to review the progress and performance of essential government departments.
The meeting, held at the Members’ Hostel Conference Hall, saw participation from officials representing the Education, Health, Public Health Engineering (PHE), and Community & Rural Development (C&RD) departments.
The committee’s review focused on infrastructure development and service delivery improvements, with key updates provided on various projects across sectors.
The Education Department presented updates on the ongoing development of Block Institutes of Teacher Education (BITE) and residential schools. Special emphasis was placed on the need to expedite the construction of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Ri-Bhoi and East Garo Hills, with a target for completion by 2025.
In the water supply sector, the PHE Department reported its progress on implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). The committee underscored the urgency of addressing persistent challenges in providing uninterrupted water supply, particularly in border areas. The department was directed to submit a comprehensive status report to ensure better monitoring and accountability.
The Health Department briefed the committee on the construction of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) hospitals in Nongstoin and Umsning, which are also slated for completion by 2025. The committee emphasized the need to fast-track the upgrade of civil hospitals, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Community Health Centres (CHCs) to enhance healthcare accessibility and infrastructure across the state.
The C&RD Department highlighted progress in constructing Block Development Officer (BDO) offices, reporting a completion rate of 70-80%. Recognizing the critical role of these offices in improving rural governance and service delivery, the committee urged the department to ensure timely project completion.
Expressing overall satisfaction with the updates, Chairman Mayralborn Syiem emphasized the importance of turning discussions into tangible results. “The committee looks forward to seeing today’s discussions translated into effective implementation on the ground,” he stated, underscoring the committee’s commitment to ensuring progress across key development initiatives.
The meeting was attended by committee members Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar (Mawkyrwat MLA), Adelbert Nongrum (North Shillong MLA), Remington Gabil Momin (Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA), Wailadmiki Shylla (Jowai MLA), and Miani D Shira (Ampati MLA). Officials from the Meghalaya Assembly Secretariat and the respective departments were also present.
The session served as a crucial platform for reviewing developmental bottlenecks and reaffirming the state’s focus on improving education, healthcare, water supply, and rural infrastructure to ensure inclusive growth for Meghalaya.