Shillong: In a significant move towards bolstering support systems for marginalised communities, the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and Other Backward Classes convened with their Karnataka counterparts on Monday. The collaborative session aimed at a cross-pollination of ideas and strategies to enhance welfare initiatives across both states.
The crucial meeting, presided over by Lahkmen Rymbui, Chairman of the Meghalaya committee, was held at the Annexe Hall in Rilbong, Shillong. The Karnataka delegation, led by AR Krishnamurthy, comprised eight other legislators, all keen on sharing insights and learning from Meghalaya’s experiences.
Discussions during the meeting primarily revolved around showcasing successful welfare programs already in operation and identifying critical areas where both states could fortify their existing approaches to uplift scheduled tribes, scheduled castes, and other backward classes. Officials from both legislative assemblies were also present, offering valuable technical input on current policies and their implementation.
Rupa M Marak, a committee member from Dadenggre, underscored the tangible benefits of such an exchange. “We had an engaging discussion on the various welfare initiatives implemented by the governments of Karnataka and Meghalaya,” he stated post-meeting. Marak further emphasised, “This exchange of ideas and perspectives will certainly help us shape more inclusive policies not just for our respective states, but for the nation as a whole.”
This cross-state collaboration highlights a burgeoning trend of inter-state cooperation on welfare policies, as state governments increasingly look to glean best practices from one another in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. Both committees expressed their commitment to continued joint efforts in developing more effective and far-reaching support systems for marginalised communities. The meeting forms a part of ongoing endeavours by state legislatures to fortify their oversight of welfare programs, ultimately ensuring that resources reach their intended beneficiaries more effectively and efficiently.
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