SHILLONG: The Joint Action Committee, in collaboration with the East Jaintia Hills Truck Owners and Transporters Association and the Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Association, on Wednesday organised a felicitation programme to honour Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar for introducing the One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for commercial vehicles.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that while politicians are often criticised when expectations are not met, they are seldom appreciated for decisions that positively impact people’s lives. He said the felicitation was significant because political leaders are often blamed during difficult times, but their efforts are rarely acknowledged when they deliver solutions.
Emphasising the government’s philosophy, Sangma said development is not limited to large infrastructure projects but must go hand in hand with improving the lives of ordinary citizens. He said development is not just about constructing roads, buildings or stadiums, but about ensuring that every government decision brings meaningful improvement to people’s lives.
Highlighting the significance of the OTS Scheme, the Chief Minister said the government had taken a bold and difficult decision to write off nearly ₹850 crore to ₹1,000 crore, prioritising the welfare of thousands of families over revenue considerations. He said the decision was not easy, as the revenue could have been utilised elsewhere, but the government chose to provide relief after realising that nearly 16,000 truck owners and their families, comprising almost two lakh people, were directly affected.
Responding to critics who accuse the government of focusing only on large-scale projects, Sangma said such views present only part of the picture. He maintained that while the government continues to invest in major infrastructure, it is equally committed to people-centric initiatives, including resolving long-pending issues of teachers, supporting farmers and empowering entrepreneurs.
The Chief Minister said transformative governance requires both visionary infrastructure and grassroots interventions. He added that while major projects demonstrate Meghalaya’s capability and readiness for growth, their true success lies in improving the everyday lives of the people.
Sangma also acknowledged the role of Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar in championing the concerns of the transport community and bringing the proposal before the government.
Calling for collective responsibility, Sangma urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure financial discipline and prevent future backlogs. He assured that the government would continue strengthening its systems and processes and remain committed to learning, improving and keeping people at the centre of every decision, with the aim of taking Meghalaya forward.
Addressing the programme, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that everyone is human and capable of making mistakes. He urged all stakeholders to work together in the interest of Meghalaya, describing the transport community as an important driver of the state’s growth.
Tynsong asked the beneficiaries to treat the OTS Scheme as a gift from the government and expressed hope that it would help them expand their businesses. He also thanked the transporters for their contribution and said their support would motivate the government to work even harder for the state’s development.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the government is making every effort to improve the welfare of the people. He urged the transport community to cooperate with the government and remain patient with officials who are working tirelessly.
Dhar also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong for remaining focused on governance despite criticism. He said Meghalaya has received substantial financial assistance from the Central Government due to the Chief Minister’s hard work and leadership.
He added that while the Opposition is free to criticise the government, the ruling National People’s Party-led government will continue working for the welfare of the people without compromise. Dhar said the leadership of the NPP-led government places people before power and asserted that Meghalaya is moving in the right direction.
