Meghalaya Govt emphasises on good governance

Shillong, Jan 26: Meghalaya celebrated the 58th Republic Day under tight security in view of the 24-hour bandh call by Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

The national flag was hoisted in the state capital, district headquarters, sub-divisional headquarters and block development offices, besides atop some private houses In Meghalaya's capital Shillong, Governor M M Jacob unfurled the tricolour at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and took the salute from contingents of Indian Air Force, Army, Border Security Forces, Central Reserve Police Force, Meghalaya police and National Cadets Corps.

Chief Minister J D Rymbai unfurled the tri-colour at Nongpoh in Ri-Bhoi district while Assembly Speaker Martin M Danggo at Tura in West Garo Hills district.

In his speech, Governor M M Jacob emphasised on good governance and quality leadership to implement large number of developmental schemes through the various agencies.

''Governance requires quality leadership, process and institutions and alert public,'' Mr Jacob said in his customary speech on Republic Day celebration here.

Asserting that Meghalaya has been able to maintain peace and communal harmony, the governor said, the most important task was to strengthen governance and improve the lives of the poor.

He said the state would need to do a lot of work to catch up with other developed states of this country that were riding on the waves of the liberal economic policies of the Union government.

''Meghalaya has already taken its first step sometimes back and we need to show more urgency in our journey ahead,'' Mr Jacob said.

During the last 35 years of statehood, he said Meghalaya had definitely been moving ahead in terms of infrastructure development in power, roads, health and rural sectors.

''Decentralisation of power, citizen's empowerment, and effective people's participation through state and non state mechanisms are essential to achieve our objectives,'' Mr Jacob observed.

On Eleventh Five Year Plan, he said the government priorities would be on the power sector, agriculture and allied sector, roads and bridges, sericulture and weaving, tourism, trade with other North Eastern states, education, health and improved delivery services by the government.

Mr Jacob said the government would work with the communities to help develop their tourism resources, build capacity and skills and encourage entrepreneurship.

The celebrations passed off peacefully with no untoward incident report from any part of the state so far.

UNI