Development schemes not know in far-flung areas in Shillong: Sohra MLA Gavin M Mylliem

A Correspondent

SHILLONG, July 27: The MLA of Sohra constituency, Gavin M Mylliem lamented the fact that many people residing in far-flung corners of the region do not have access to various developmental schemes due to lack of information.

Mylliem was speaking at a one day special interactive programme (SIP) on the theme “Empowering Rural Communities through Access to Information and Knowledge”. The interactive programme was held at the Conference Hall of the office of the Block Development Officer, Laitkroh Khatar Shnong C&RD Block.

Addressing the gathering, the Sohra MLA stated that the Special Interactive Programme was a platform which facilitates direct interaction between the Government and people. He said that the programme was conducted with the objective to educate the participants on various schemes. He said that such programmes help bridge the gap between the public and the government, especially in terms of communicating various programmes to the general public. “Therefore, such interactive programmes provide an excellent platform which can address this obstacle and overall uplift and empower the rural communities with accurate and correct information which also provides for easier accessibility to various schemes,” Mylliem said. Mylliem encouraged the Department of Information and Public Relations to continue in their efforts of conducting such programmes in the constituency which will go a long way in developing a positive relationship between the government machinery and the people.

Deputy Director of Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Shillong R Nongkhlaw informed the gathering that the Special Interactive Programme is an innovative grassroots awareness campaign under DIPR, Shillong involving direct interaction between community and officials of various departments.

Nongkhlaw said that in the context of intense implementation of different programmes, the office has been organizing Special Interactive Programmes (SIPs) at different villages in the State.

Resource persons from different development departments are invited to participate in these programmes, wherein they inform and highlight the different schemes and programmes that are available with their respective departments in the interest of the rural people.