Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constructed Mini Secretariat, Circuit House, and Block Integrated Development Complex (BIDC) at Pynursla in East Khasi Hills district, marking a major step towards strengthening administrative infrastructure and decentralising governance in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai, Sohra MLA Gavin M. Mylliem, and senior government officials were among those present at the events.
Speaking at the inauguration, Sangma described the new Mini Secretariat and Circuit House as symbols of the government’s commitment to efficient, people-centric governance.
“These projects reflect our vision of bringing administration closer to the people.
The Mini Secretariat will serve as a one-stop centre where citizens can access all essential services under one roof, without having to travel long distances,” he said.
The chief minister expressed gratitude to the local community, particularly the Raid Shabong, for donating land for the project.
“This act of generosity sends a powerful message — that development becomes meaningful when the government and the people work together. This contribution will be remembered for generations,” he added.
Sangma also commended the Deputy Chief Minister for his leadership and persistence in ensuring the project’s completion, adding that the quality of construction in Pynursla would serve as a model for similar Mini Secretariats across the state.
Reflecting on the government’s developmental approach, the chief minister said that since 2018, the focus has been on improving implementation rather than introducing new schemes.
“When we started in 2018, MGNREGS utilisation was below Rs. 500 crore; today, it has touched nearly Rs. 2,000 crore because we changed how things are done. Similarly, under PMAY, the number of houses sanctioned annually has risen from around 5,000 to 1.5 lakh,” he said.
Later, inaugurating the new Block Integrated Development Complex, Sangma reiterated that upgrading administrative facilities across all blocks has been a core priority of the MDA government.
He noted that before this initiative, many of the state’s 46 block offices operated from temporary or cramped structures.
“Some block offices functioned from just two rooms. That was unacceptable. We decided every block must have a proper building, something that had not been done for the last three to four decades,” he said.
Sangma announced that all 56 blocks in Meghalaya now have sanctioned funds for permanent office complexes — either completed, under construction, or in tendering — following a uniform design model.
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The chief minister highlighted that over Rs. 150 crore has been invested in administrative infrastructure alone, alongside major allocations for police, health, and education sectors.
Nearly Rs. 500 crore, he said, has been spent on renovating and constructing school buildings across lower primary to higher secondary levels, with similar efforts underway for aided and SSA schools.
“We are clear that quality governance requires proper facilities. If we want to deliver effective services to people at the grassroots, we must first strengthen the structures that support them,” Sangma said.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong described the new projects as “historic milestones” for Pynursla, thanking the chief minister for prioritising the subdivision in the government’s development roadmap.
The inauguration ceremonies also saw participation from Commissioner and Secretary CVD Diengdoh, SDO (Civil) Evarinlla Warjri, DRDA Project Director Peter T. Passah, and other dignitaries.
