Shillong, May 14: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stated on Thursday that governance must always be accountable and close to the citizens. He emphasized that public opinion should continuously shape government decisions.
While addressing the ‘Chief Minister Connect – Public Consultation Meeting’ held at the U SoSo Tham Auditorium, in collaboration with the Shillong Municipal Board and the Urban Affairs Department, CM Sangma described this initiative as a structured platform for ongoing citizen engagement.
The event saw participation from Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang, senior government officials, representatives of urban local bodies, community leaders, artists, and citizens.
CM Sangma noted that the meeting was primarily organized as a ‘listening exercise’ and stressed that democratic governance can only function effectively when governments remain connected to the people. He stated, “A true democracy can only thrive when the government stays connected with its citizens.” He also mentioned that sometimes it may be necessary to reconsider decisions based on public feedback.
The Chief Minister explained that the ‘Chief Minister Connect’ initiative arose from the need for a systematic mechanism for grievance redressal and communication between citizens and the government. He highlighted the importance of the Chief Minister maintaining continuous contact with the people.
Addressing challenges such as waste management, roads, and urban infrastructure, CM Sangma called for creative public participation and respectful engagement with officials. He pointed out that departments often operate within logistical and administrative constraints.
He elaborated that the Chief Minister Connect model operates through a centralized grievance platform linked to a 1971 call center system. Complaints are recorded, assigned to relevant departments, and monitored through a dashboard to ensure timely resolutions.
The Chief Minister further stated that to enhance local citizen participation, this mechanism would be strengthened through the integration of initiatives like MLA Connect and District Collector Connect.
Deputy Chief Minister Dhar remarked that the success of ‘Chief Minister Connect’ reflects the active involvement of citizens, especially among the youth, along with the collaboration of government departments, traditional institutions, and community leaders.
During the program, the ‘Chief Minister Artist Engagement Scheme’ was launched to promote murals and street art across Meghalaya through local artists. Selected artists received advance payment checks of 20,000 rupees.
Additionally, the Shillong Municipal Board initiated a ‘Locality Grading’ initiative aimed at evaluating various areas based on cleanliness, waste management, and environmental measures. The best-performing areas will receive cash rewards.
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