Shillong, March 24: Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Monday reviewed all pending projects for infrastructure development across the state and directed for their speedy completion.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sangma said, “We have reviewed all pending projects. We have instructed and directed our officers and implementing agencies to speed up and ensure their immediate completion.”
The pending projects include construction of Science and Commerce Colleges in Mawphlang, Mahendraganj, Patharkhmah, Rongjeng, DIET in Williamnagar and polytechnics in districts like South Garo Hills, West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi.
According to the minister, there are different reasons for the delay which some are due to slow implementation on the part of the contractors and some due to technical and land issues.
“Efforts are on to resolve all of these issues,” he assured.
Further, Sangma informed out of the 38 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), three – Mawkynrew, Khatarshnong, Laitkor and Rongra – are having land issues of which the respective deputy commissioners and block development officers (BDOs) have been directed to coordinate with the land owners and resolve the issue at the earliest.
Also, 13 EMRS are at different stages of construction and 16 are in the stage of tendering process, the last date of which has been fixed on March 25, and 7 are at different stages of documentation.
“Earlier, work has been alloted to an agency from Manipur (in 2019-2020) but the state government had written to the ministry and ministry has given back the work to the state government for implementation (of EMRS),” he said.
Under the Mission Education, the minister informed 1608 schools have been sanctioned for renovation.
“In most of the districts (renovation of schools) have been completed but we are sorry to say few districts like in Mawsynram, Mylliem (EKH) and Khliehriat (EJH), Amlarem (WJH), Umsning (Ri Bhoi), Mawthadraishan (EWKH) – work is yet to start and we have reviewed this today,” he added.
