Shillong: A significant step towards bolstering grassroots governance was taken today in Meghalaya with the inauguration of a new Block Development Integrated Complex at Songsak in East Garo Hills. This state-of-the-art facility marks a crucial milestone in the state’s ongoing commitment to upgrading its administrative infrastructure at the local level.
The project is a direct outcome of the Central government’s Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, a pivotal initiative that has been instrumental in modernising numerous block-level administrative offices across Meghalaya. This scheme is actively transforming the working environment for public servants and enhancing the efficiency of service delivery in the state’s rural heartlands.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, gracing the inauguration ceremony, underscored the critical need for such initiatives, noting that many of the state’s block offices had unfortunately languished in disrepair for decades. He emphasised that the revamped infrastructure would significantly improve the functioning of the administration closest to the people.
With a total of 56 blocks spread across Meghalaya, the state has judiciously utilised the SASCI scheme to bring about a tangible improvement in working conditions for public servants. This has, in turn, led to a marked enhancement in the quality and accessibility of services provided to citizens in remote and rural areas.
Chief Minister Sangma extended his sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their unwavering support. He highlighted that the SASCI scheme is visibly translating into concrete improvements in governance and infrastructure development right down to the village level, directly benefiting countless communities.
The Songsak facility is not an isolated endeavour; it is one among several such integrated complexes currently being developed or upgraded under the scheme. This concerted effort aims to effectively bridge critical infrastructure gaps, particularly in some of Meghalaya’s most distant and hard-to-reach administrative units, ensuring equitable development across the state.
Read More: Elephants Wreak Havoc in Nagaland Villages, Locals Plead for Urgent Aid