The Meghalaya government is addressing delays in the construction of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), with land disputes and tendering processes posing significant hurdles. Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma, after an education review meeting, stated, “In the EMRS there are three which are having the land issue, in Mawkynrew block, in South Garo Hills it’s in Rongra, and again in East Khasi Hills that is in Khadarshnong-Laitkroh block. These are the three EMRS projects [that] have land issue[s], and we have directed the deputy commissioners and BDOs to coordinate with the land owners.”
Providing an update on the status of EMRS projects, Sangma said, “Out of 38 numbers of EMRS, 13 is at different stage of construction, 16 are at the tendering process, and the last date of tendering is tomorrow and after this the process will start. Remaining is under different process of documentation and three are having land issue[s].” He further stated, “This is being implemented by MIDFC, once they complete the tendering process they will release the work order.”
Sangma also acknowledged previous setbacks in project execution, attributing them to the selection of an external agency. “The problem arise because the work was allotted to an agency from Manipur that was the issue. The state Government has written to the ministry, and now the ministry has given it back to the ministry for implementation. So the state Government is going for re-tendering.”
With the re-tendering process underway, the Meghalaya government aims to accelerate the completion of EMRS projects and ensure smooth implementation across the state.