Shillong, Jan 21: Chief Secretary DP Wahlang on Saturday highlighted the challenges that the state faces even after five decades of its formation as he spoke on the occasion of the 51st statehood day in the city.
As Wahlang spoke about the state’s picturesque beauty, abundant natural resources, diversity in cultures and traditions, tolerance and inclusive and participative growth model, he also mentioned that as the state prepares for economic empowerment and self-sustainability, there are challenges to be addressed.
“The challenges faced by the state are primary in the fields of rural infrastructure, accentuated by difficult terrain, building of social capital, ensuring round-the-clock health facility and good education. It (the challenge) also manifests in the form of the lack of employment opportunities, both urban and rural livelihoods and essential services like supply of drinking water and power that can ensure a definitive quality of life,” he said.
Talking about the challenges in the education sector, Wahlang said Meghalaya has three times more habitations and the number of schools than any northeastern state of a similar area, making it difficult in terms of scale and funding.
“Meghalaya has 15,000 schools, 58,000 teachers and 12 lakh students. Hence, the major challenges are the enormity of operations, funding facilities, infrastructure and manpower gaps, which have been addressed continuously,” he said.
About the health sector, the chief secretary mentioned the high rate of anaemia among adults, especially women, malnourishment among children and the high maternal mortality rate. He added that the state government has adopted a holistic approach in solving these problems. “We will continue to focus on child nutrition, early childhood development, immunisation and maternal and infant mortality,” he added.
Climate change concerns & green energy target
Wahlang said climate change is a cause for concern, especially when the state is prone to natural disasters like floods and landslides.
“Moreover, the state’s economic development depends heavily on natural resources, which are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We need to protect our rivers and forests,” he said, adding that the government has involved the community to achieve the environmental targets.
The chief secretary also mentioned the need to have clean and green energy from solar and wind power. While the installed capacity in the state is 356 MW, the actual power production is 1,200 million units against the demand for 2,000 million units.
Buckwheat & millet products
The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Shillong, with assistance from the state government, set up a food stall, displaying 75 varieties of products made of millet and buckwheat, at the venue of the statehood celebrations.
IHM is training local farmers in the production, packaging and marketing of products made from millets, buckwheat and jackfruit. IHM-Shillong principal Dr Baladynta Kharshiing said the government has set up a techno-innovation centre on the campus where training programmes are held. “The Meghalaya Farmers’ Empowerment Commission has also approached us,” she added.
The training programmes started last year and will continue with the support of the state government. There are about 10 trainers from the institute, informed Kharshiing.
Former principal of IHM Dr Vijay Kumar said the state government invested about Rs 2 crore to set up a training unit on the campus and another Rs 1 crore investment is in the pipeline for a fruit wine-making unit.
Horti-hub exhibition
The Department of Horticulture put up an exhibition of flowers, fruits and mushrooms at the venue. An official said all the exhibits were from the state’s horti-hubs.
There are 11 hubs across the state, of which about 8 have sent their produce. These hubs are demonstration and training units. They also sell flowers and seeds. The official said the demand for flowers, which cost less at the hubs than in the market, goes up during All Soul’s Day and the wedding season. “Some hubs sell about Rs 50,000 worth flowers. Though I do not have the exact figures, but in a fiscal, the sales touch Rs 3-4 lakh with all the hubs combined,” he added.
Among the flowers on display were Lilium, chrysanthemum and a wide range of orchids.
