To resolve border disputes with Assam, Meghalya CM met PM Modi

New Delhi: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, along with Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas Sangma and cabinet ministers, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed his move to resolve the border dispute with Assam.
The delegation also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Modi in this regard.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji heard our concern, and assured to look into it. We thank them for giving us this opportunity,” the Meghalaya chief minister said, highlighting the issues of communication.
On the Assam-Meghalaya dispute areas, CM Sangma sought PM Modi’s intervention to resolve the remaining six out of the twelve disputed areas between Assam and Meghalaya.
He informed the Prime Minister about the reconstitution of three regional committees to review the current situation of the remaining six disputed areas.

The committees are tasked with verifying village claims, determining geographical locations, and preparing asset registers in collaboration with both state governments.
Notably, six areas were successfully resolved in March 2022 with an agreement in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
A joint survey of Assam and Meghalaya is currently underway to demarcate the boundaries in these settled areas.

Regarding External Assistance Projects (EAPs), the Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that EAPs are very important for Meghalaya.
He told the Prime Minister that Meghalaya has embarked on an ambitious target of becoming a USD 10 billion economy within the next five years, and to achieve this target, the state is investing in physical and social infrastructure. There is a need to double our economy, which will lead to sustainable growth. Development and employment opportunities.
“The state government has actively pursued private investment and aims to foster a strong private sector. Despite efforts, inherent challenges related to the land tenure system, remoteness, and rugged terrain have deterred private investment. Work has been limited.
Therefore, public investments, including Externally Aided Projects (EAPs), are very important to boost the state’s economy. The Meghalaya Chief Minister said that these projects, which constitute about 72% of the project cost as grants from the Government of India to the northeastern and hill states, are an important component of the investment portfolio.
He also informed that the Meghalaya government has successfully submitted and approved several projects under this merit-based system.

He also informed the Prime Minister about inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages ​​in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The Meghalaya Assembly passed a resolution in this regard in November 2018, and the matter is currently pending with the Government of India.

On the issue of peace talks with the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), the Meghalaya Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that the organization expressed its readiness for unconditional talks with the Governments of India and Meghalaya within the framework of the Indian Constitution. has been revealed. Without any preconditions.
The Chief Minister told the Prime Minister that formal talks are on, and the state government is hopeful that the peace process will reach a successful conclusion.