Shillong, March 6: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday released cheques worth Rs 220 crore.
The programme was held under “Our Magnificent Meghalaya | Vision 2032” commemorating eight years of the MDA government at the P. A. Sangma Sports Complex in Tura.
Besides the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar; Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Thomas A. Sangma; Minister for Tourism and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Timothy D. Shira; and Marcuise N. Marak, Minister for Public Health Engineering, Soil & Water Conservation and Housing, along with Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and other dignitaries attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister reflected on the government’s eight-year journey, acknowledging the challenges faced while expressing gratitude for the support of the people.
“Over the last eight years, our journey has been filled with challenges and difficulties. At times it has been painful and it has certainly not been easy. But through the blessings from above, the love of the people and the support of our citizens, we have been able to overcome most of these challenges,” he said.
Unity among communities
The chief minister also called for unity among communities and urged people to resolve differences through dialogue. “Hatred between tribes or communities can never be the solution. Unity has always been our strength, and we must continue to work together in a spirit of unity to take our state forward,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong described the occasion as an important milestone for the state.
“When we formed the government, the journey ahead was not easy. There were many challenges and ups and downs. But with the blessings and guidance of Almighty God, we have now reached eight years of this journey,” he said.
He expressed gratitude for the continued support of the people and highlighted that the programme witnessed the distribution of substantial financial assistance to beneficiaries.
“The total distribution of cheques for today alone amounts to around Rs 220 crore. This money goes directly to the beneficiaries,” he said.
“I believe this is no small matter. In a single day, the government is distributing around Rs 220 crore for the welfare of the people,” he added.
He also called upon citizens and civil society organisations to support the Government’s development initiatives. “The door is always open. We are always ready to discuss any issues or concerns. At the same time, we must recognise and support programmes that are meant for the welfare of our people, especially the poor in both rural and urban areas,” he said.
Speaker Thomas A. Sangma lauded the achievements of the MDA Government and congratulated the Chief Minister on becoming the longest-serving Chief Minister in the history of the State. He expressed gratitude to the people for their trust in the Government and for working in collaboration with it.
He also expressed hope that both the Government and the Opposition would continue to work together to ensure that the promise of Vision 2032 becomes a reality in every corner of Meghalaya.Minister for Tourism and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Timothy D. Shira said he was encouraged by the transformative changes taking place in the state over the past eight years.
Earlier, Marcuise N. Marak delivered the welcome address. He said that the completion of eight years of the MDA government was made possible because of the support and trust of the people.
He noted that Meghalaya is witnessing steady development and progress under the leadership of the Chief Minister. He also attributed the sqtate’s progress to the dedication and hard work of officers and government employees across departments, referring to them collectively as “Team Meghalaya.”
The event began with the State Anthem.
On the occasion, the chief ninister released the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2025–26, amounting to over Rs 5 crore and benefiting 98,751 students across the State. He also launched the Uniform Grant through Direct Benefit Transfer, amounting to over Rs 3 crore for 50,000 students.
Beneficiaries of the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Scheme and the CM Farm+ initiative shared their experiences, highlighting the positive impact of these programmes on their lives. A video presentation showcasing the achievements of the State Government over the past eight years was also screened for the gathering.
Financial assistance was distributed to beneficiaries under CM Farm+, the CM Elevate SEED Scheme and the CM Homestay Mission. Support was also extended to beneficiaries under the Green Meghalaya+ initiative and VDVK food cart programme.
During the event, the Chief Minister also remotely inaugurated 101 community halls constructed across the State under the Project for Community-Based Forest Management and Livelihood Improvement in Meghalaya, jointly supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund. He also inaugurated eight warehouses and Common Facility Centres (CFCs) in the Garo Hills region developed under the CM Elevate initiative to strengthen local value chains and support community-based enterprises.
The programme was organised under the theme “Our Magnificent Meghalaya | Vision 2032,” commemorating eight years of the MDA Government and highlighting the State’s development journey with a focus on improved service delivery, sustainable infrastructure and expanding opportunities for the people of Meghalaya.
