Shillong — In a bid to deepen inter-state cooperation and foster better governance practices, the Estimates Committees of the Meghalaya and Jharkhand Legislative Assemblies convened an interactive session in Shillong on Tuesday. Held at the Assembly Secretariat’s Conference Hall, the meeting marked a significant moment of legislative exchange between the two predominantly tribal states.
Chairing the Meghalaya delegation, MLA Mayralborn Syiem opened the dialogue by highlighting the shared cultural fabric and tribal legacy of the two states. “Both states share tribal heritage—Meghalaya with hill tribes and Jharkhand with plain tribes,” Syiem remarked, drawing parallels that set a meaningful tone for the session. He provided a detailed overview of the role and functioning of the Estimates Committee, emphasizing its on-ground monitoring efforts and regular departmental evaluations.
The visiting delegation from Jharkhand, led by Hemlal Murmu, is currently on a legislative study tour of northeastern India. Murmu expressed admiration for Meghalaya’s natural charm, calling it a “heaven on earth” and citing Cherrapunji and Asia’s cleanest village, Mawlynnong, as standout tourism attractions.
As part of the engagement, Syiem briefed the visitors on a series of developmental initiatives spearheaded by the Meghalaya government, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The Meghalaya committee, he noted, had recently undertaken reviews of three Block Institutes of Teacher Education and residential schools, along with assessing progress in the Jal Jeevan Mission in critical border regions. He also shared updates on the construction of new Maternal and Child Health hospitals in Nongstoin and Umsning, which are slated to be operational before the end of the year.
Both delegations underscored the significance of such exchanges in building bridges of cooperation and mutual understanding. The Jharkhand team extended an open invitation for a reciprocal visit to their state, further strengthening the foundation for continued collaboration.
The Jharkhand delegation is scheduled to proceed to Sikkim and Odisha as part of its broader study tour following the conclusion of its Meghalaya visit.