The Estimates Committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, led by Chairman Mayralborn Syiem, MLA of Nongpoh constituency, reviewed the progress of three Block Institutes of Teacher Education (BITE) and residential schools on Monday. The committee urged the Education Department to expedite the completion and operational readiness of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Ri-Bhoi and East Garo Hills by 2025.
During a meeting held in the Conference Hall of the Members’ Hostel, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Shillong, the committee met with officials from various departments to assess performance and progress. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, the committee emphasized the need for uninterrupted implementation of the mission in border areas and directed the department to submit a detailed status report while expediting efforts.
In the Health Department, the committee evaluated the progress of new Maternal and Child Health (MCH) hospitals in Nongstoin and Umsning, setting a target for operational readiness by 2025. It also called for the fast-tracking of upgrades to civil hospitals, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
For the Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Department, the committee reviewed the construction of new Block Development Officer (BDO) offices, which are reportedly 70-80% complete. It urged the department to ensure timely completion of these projects to improve service delivery in C&RD blocks.
The purpose of the meeting was to review the performance of the Education Department, Health Department, PHE Department, and C&RD Department.
The meeting was attended by committee members Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar (Mawkyrwat MLA), Adelbert Nongrum (North Shillong MLA), Remington Gabil Momin (Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA), Wailadmiki Shylla (Jowai MLA), and Miani D Shira (Ampati MLA), along with officials from the Meghalaya Assembly Secretariat and the respective departments.
Chairman Mayralborn Syiem expressed satisfaction with the overall progress and remarked, “The committee looks forward to seeing the discussions held today with the various departments implemented on the ground in both letter and spirit.”