Shillong, July 1 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday asserted that governance can be considered successful only when it directly improves the lives of ordinary citizens, saying the state government’s development agenda is focused as much on people-centric welfare measures as on large infrastructure projects.

Addressing a felicitation programme organised by the Joint Action Committee to acknowledge the government’s One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for commercial vehicles, the Chief Minister said development should not be measured solely through roads, buildings and other infrastructure but by the tangible benefits delivered to the people.

“Development is not just about constructing big roads, buildings or stadiums. Every decision we take must translate into a real improvement in the lives of our people. That is the true measure of governance,” Sangma said.

The organisers felicitated Sangma along with Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar for implementing the OTS scheme aimed at providing relief to commercial vehicle owners.

Referring to the initiative, the Chief Minister said the government had taken a difficult but necessary decision to waive dues amounting to nearly Rs 850 crore to Rs 1,000 crore, placing the welfare of thousands of transport workers above revenue considerations.

He said the government realised that around 16,000 truck owners and drivers, along with nearly two lakh family members dependent on the sector, had been severely affected, making intervention imperative.

Sangma also responded to criticism that his government was focused only on mega infrastructure projects, saying such assessments ignored the administration’s continuous efforts to resolve long-pending issues affecting different sections of society.

According to him, the government has simultaneously worked towards addressing concerns of teachers, supporting farmers, encouraging entrepreneurship and introducing welfare measures that directly benefit citizens.

The Chief Minister further stressed that while landmark infrastructure projects signal Meghalaya’s growth aspirations, their ultimate purpose is to improve the quality of life of the people.

Calling for collective responsibility, Sangma urged all stakeholders to maintain financial discipline and assured that the government would continue strengthening governance systems while keeping citizens at the centre of every policy decision.

–IANS

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