Raphael Warjri

In a sustained outreach initiative aimed at strengthening participatory governance, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday held a series of meetings with representatives of various organisations, associations, community groups and stakeholders at his official residence in Shillong, where a broad spectrum of public issues was placed before the government.

During the interactions, delegations from religious institutions, cultural bodies, artists, employees' associations, ASHA workers, teacher trainees and development organisations submitted memoranda and highlighted concerns relating to welfare measures, honorarium, service conditions, infrastructure gaps, educational stipends, cultural promotion and community development programmes.

The Chief Minister also heard representations from poultry farmers, contractors, industrial stakeholders, youth organisations and border forums, with discussions focusing on employment generation, industrial expansion, labour welfare, recruitment-related matters and issues concerning border villages.

Official sources said the meetings provided a platform for stakeholders to apprise the government of sector-specific challenges and developmental priorities. Sangma assured the delegations that the concerns raised would be examined by the government and reiterated its commitment to inclusive growth, responsive administration and stakeholder-driven development.

The engagements form part of the state government's ongoing consultative process to ensure grassroots concerns are factored into policymaking and development planning.