“The FOCUS scheme is nothing but a part of the very same Integrated
Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion scheme”, says Dr. Mukul Sangma
With another step towards strengthening their foundation in the West Garo Hills, Meghalaya TMC
organised a Block Level Meeting in Selsella on November 10, 2022, in presence of a roaring crowd
of over 5,000 mass supporters standing for the party’s causes.
Among countless discrepancies in governance by the MDA, Trinamool Congress Legislature Party
Leader & Leader of Opposition, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Dr. Mukul Sangma pointed out
the sheer lie in the projection of the FOCUS scheme.
He stated, “During my time in the government, to ensure that each family has at least three
income resources, we introduced the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood
Promotion project. The FOCUS scheme is a part of the very same Basin Development
scheme. The MDA initially demonised the IBDLP scheme, however, to this date the MDA
has no unique scheme which does not root from the IBDLP.”
Lashing out at the MDA government for their ineptitude in the state development sector, Dr.
Mukul Sangma said, “Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project made way for travel, business,
and market linkage for the development of the agricultural sector. MITP received funds of
120 billion dollars from the World Bank. The MDA government claimed to have spent it in
two years. However, no signs of development are being reflected even after five years.”
He further reminded the people of the financial assistance he provided as a Chief Minister, and
said, “I introduced Women’s Economic Empowerment through the Financial Power
scheme. I used to give Rs. 5,000/- to women to open bank accounts.”
He added, “After coming to power in 2018, the government retracted the schemes. The money was still
there, but the people could not take the benefits anymore. When we come to the
government in 2023, we will ensure the distribution of funding to the people.”
Meghalaya TMC MLA Rangsakona Zenith Sangma urged the people to vote wisely in the coming
elections and said, “In the upcoming 2023 polls, we have to make the right call before voting
so that peace prevails in the country and the younger generation has a secured future.”
Taking a jibe at the ruling dispensation over their hypocritical stand on the CAA, Meghalaya
TMC MDC Balachanda, Agassi Marak said, “Before elections, NPP said things like ‘we would
reject the Citizenship Amendment Act’. Yet after winning, Agatha Sangma favored the same
act in Parliament. Therefore, we should reject such a party.”
Along with Dr. Mukul Sangma, a congregation of Meghalaya TMC leadership was present
including Meghalaya TMC Mahila Wing State President Selma D Shira, Meghalaya TMC MLA
Rangsakona Zenith M Sangma, Meghalaya TMC MDC Balachanda, Agassi R Marak, Meghalaya TMC
MDC Amongpara, Nehru D Sangma, and Meghalaya TMC MDC Rongrong, Rinaldo K Sangma
among other leaders and supporters.
Unifying the crowd with the message of peace and harmony, Dr. Mukul Sangma stated, “This is
not a fight to be fought with weapons. This is a fight of ideologies.” While the NPP-led MDA
government chooses to focus on retaining power through a variety of ill schemes, Meghalaya TMC
pledges to stand by the people and fulfill their demands as their topmost priority