Union MoS applauds Meghalaya's progress
Krishan Pal Gurjar
concluded his two-day official visit to Meghalaya on Friday as part of the Centre's ongoing efforts to assess and accelerate development initiatives in the northeast and lauded the progress of Meghalaya in various spheres.
The minister engaged with senior state officials, district administrators and departments to review the implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes and emphasised on infrastructure, social empowerment and livelihood-based programmes.
Highlighting the Centre's commitment to uplift remote regions, Gurjar said, "The Govt of India's vision for a Viksit Bharat can only be achieved when every region, including remote and hilly areas like Meghalaya, progresses hand-in-hand with the rest of the country".
He emphasised the importance of effective Centre-state coordination, digital monitoring, and efficient fund utilisation, while calling for timely and transparent execution of projects.
Gurjar reviewed the progress of flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Lakhpati Didi initiative, Jal Jeevan Mission, and the strengthening of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies among other centrally sponsored schemes.
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He acknowledged the successful implementation of these programmes, noting that grassroots feedback is crucial for policy evaluation and real-time course correction.
Gurjar also acknowledged the challenges in land acquisition due to hilly terrain, forest cover and community ownership for critical infrastructure projects like airports and railways in Meghalaya.
"In a democracy, we must listen to people's concerns.
Environmental sensitivity and local participation must go hand-in-hand with development," he said.
The minister appreciated the efforts of the Meghalaya administration and civil society for the visible progress on the ground. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the northeast has seen a decline in violence and insurgency, stronger financial support from the Centre, and increased ministerial outreach over the years.
He called for transforming Khasi Hills into a model of development, stating, "Let it be an example of what a truly developed India can look like. I am truly pleased to see the honest and dedicated efforts made by the administration here in Khasi Hills. It is visible on the ground, and I congratulate everyone involved".
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