Chokpot residents get new sub-division

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Feb 28: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma iugurated the new Chokpot Civil sub-division amidst fanfare and jubilation at function held at Warima playground, Chokpot in South Garo Hills on Monday.

The momentous occasion was also attended by Home Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh, Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma besides many other top officials.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for construction Farmer’s Market at Chokpot and launched the new and renewable energy under MNREDA and distributed solar lamps to class IX & X students of the district.

He also distributed cheques as incentives to farmers of the district who have taken up agar and bamboo plantation.

Of the four new civil sub-divisions announced by the State government, Chokpot is the second to be iugurated this month. The proposal for creation was submitted in June and identification of land was made in July last year. The civil sub-division covers an area of 441 sq.km having 307 villages and a total population of 40,485. It has one C&RD block, one police station, one outpost, one CHC, one PHC and 5 sub-centres. It will be getting two additiol police stations – one at Sangknigre and the other Silkigre. The land measuring 23.57 hectare for the new civil sub-division complex was doted by Nokma of Warima Migen M. Sangma. In his iugural address, the Chief Minister expressed his happiness for being able to fulfill the long-standing demand of the people.

“This has generated more hope and aspirations among the people”, he added.

With the creation of this new civil sub-division, offices of various line departments will be coming up soon, the Chief Minister said.

He urged upon the people to take advantage of these offices for the benefit of the area.

According to him, the new districts, civil sub-divisions and C&RD blocks were created to make the area of administration smaller to eble the officers to give focused attention to the needs of the people.

“When new districts and civil sub-divisions are created opportunity is created for everybody. Let’s do justice to this opportunity and move forward with positive attitude” he said.

Speaking of various developmental projects in the state, including the tiol and state highways being funded by JICA, the Chief Minister also informed the people that sanction would soon be given for construction of road from Chokpot to Sibbari, the nearest connecting link to Baghmara the district headquarters.

Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh, Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma, Chief Secretary K.S.Kropha , Parliamentary Secretary Cherak W Momin, Government Chief Whip W.D. Sangma, local MLA Bluebell Sangma and South West Deputy Commissioner SN Marak were among others who also spoke on the occasion.