Shillong: The Meghalaya government remains unable to provide a definitive timeline for upgrading the Sohra civil sub-division into a fully-fledged district.
During a roving state cabinet meeting held in Sohra, located in the southern part of East Khasi Hills, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma addressed questions regarding the progress of the proposed upgrade.
While Sangma’s administration has previously expressed support for making Sohra the headquarters of a new district, the chief minister highlighted that numerous challenges need to be resolved before this aspiration can be realised.
“Our government is committed to bringing administration closer to the people, but there are significant geographical and financial hurdles to overcome,” Sangma stated.
“We are not outright rejecting or accepting the demand, but these matters require careful examination and deliberation,” he added.
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The chief minister emphasised the need for extensive discussions with various stakeholders, noting that many areas and communities must be united and consulted before a final decision can be made.
The demand for a separate district, championed by the Sohra District Demand Forum, is under review.
However, the government is not yet in a position to commit to a concrete plan, Sangma added.