Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma Takes Meghalaya’s Governance to the Doorstep of Remote Rongara, Reinforcing CM CONNECT’s Last-Mile Approach

2026-09-11 05:06:41 News & Society

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Mumbai / Rongara, September 10, 2026: Taking citizen-centric governance directly to one of Meghalaya’s remotest regions, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, today led the CM CONNECT Block-Level Community Interaction Programme at Rongara in South Garo Hills, bringing citizens, elected representatives and senior officials together on a common platform to address issues affecting communities on the ground.

The programme placed Shri Conrad K Sangma, at the centre of a direct citizen-government conversation, with residents raising concerns on essential services, infrastructure and livelihoods and the concerned departments responding to the issues during the interaction.

Earlier, Hon’ble Chief Minister also inaugurated the new annex building of the Rongara C&RD Block Office, strengthening the institutional infrastructure through which rural development programmes and government services are delivered closer to communities. The inauguration was followed by the CM CONNECT programme at the Rongara M.E. School playground.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Conrad K Sangma, said, “I rate CM Connect as my most important programme among all the programmes I do. CM Connect is at the heart of governance and at the heart of democracy. It is one of the most important programmes we can have as a democratic nation because it brings democracy and governance together and ensures that development reaches the last mile.”

Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma said CM Connect was conceived to change the way people and government interact. “People often say that politicians meet the public only before elections. CM Connect is our effort to change that. We are taking this programme to the people twice a month because, as political leaders, if we do not interact with people, we cannot understand or solve their problems. Issues need to be discussed, and sometimes a simple conversation can resolve what may simply be a communication gap.”

The interaction illustrated the core CM CONNECT approach of linking the citizen who raises an issue, the Chief Minister who takes it up, and the department responsible for acting on it, within a single public platform.

Hon’ble Chief Minister Directs Prompt Action on Citizens’ Concerns

The CM CONNECT interaction saw Shri Conrad K Sangma, personally take up issues raised by residents across different villages of South Garo Hills, seeking immediate departmental responses and directing officials to examine the matters and take necessary action.

Prokaston N. Sangma of Lower Nekora raised concerns relating to drinking water, a Matriculation Examination Centre and a retaining wall near the main market. Hon’ble Chief Minister sought immediate updates, with officials informing that the restoration DPR is ready, ensured that the examination-centre proposal can proceed through the prescribed process, and the retaining-wall estimate has been submitted.

Bibosing Ch. Sangma of Dulsingre A sought additional electricity poles and an RCC bridge. Shri Sangma directed the concerned authorities to examine the requirements promptly. MePDCL informed that the village is covered under RDSS, with surveys for 40 households completed and work to commence very shortly. He stated that he will personally speak to the contractor and expedite the process.

Emush R. Sangma of Naweram Asim raised the need for a JJM drinking water connection. Hon’ble Chief Minister directed the department to expedite the matter, with officials informing that a retrofitting proposal and fresh DPR have been submitted for approval Shri Sangma ensured expedition of the process.
Bokseng Sangma of Kujolgiri shed light on the condition of the Kujolgiri LP School building. Shri Sangma directed the Education Department to assess the requirement and take prompt action, following which the department informed that a civil works team and engineer will now inspect the school and prepare an estimate for repair or reconstruction.

CM CONNECT in Numbers

CM CONNECT has grown into a multi-channel citizen engagement and grievance-redressal mechanism, enabling people to connect with the Government through physical interactions as well as phone calls, WhatsApp, Village Data Volunteers, petitions and CM CONNECT Centres.

The initiative has recorded more than 1.15 Lakh citizen connects and 6,593 grievances, out of which 4,401 already closed. Citizen feedback satisfaction stands at 96.45 per cent.

Rongara Highlights the Significance of Taking Governance to the Last Mile

By bringing the Chief Minister and senior officials from multiple departments directly to Rongara, CM CONNECT seeks to narrow that distance between citizens and the Government. In February 2024, Hon’ble Chief Minister had inaugurated a jackfruit processing unit at Rongara, which is also the world’s remotest jackfruit processing unit, reflecting the effort to bring sustainable value addition and livelihood opportunities closer to local communities.

The inauguration of the new Rongara C&RD Block infrastructure, launch of 1000-days Maternal & Baby Kit Distribution, and the CM CONNECT interaction together underline aspects of the same approach: strengthening the institutions that deliver governance and strengthening the channels through which citizens engage with government.

Shri Sengchim N. Sangma, Hon’ble MLA, Chokpot thanked the Chief Minister for strengthening block office infrastructure and improving road connectivity in Rongara. He stated that the South Garo Hills Region is witnessing visible development and change, under the visionary leadership of Shri Conrad K Sangma.

Shri Rakkam A. Sangma, Hon’ble MLA, Rongara highlighted ongoing development initiatives, including ₹270 crore in hospital repairs, new bridges, school infrastructure, road improvements and the distribution of ambulances to PHCs.

Dignitaries in attendance include Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister; Shri Sengchim N. Sangma, Hon’ble MLA, Chokpot; Shri Rakkam A. Sangma, Hon’ble MLA, Rongara-Siju; and senior government officials, officers from various departments, district administration officials, community representatives and residents from Rongara and surrounding areas