Meghalaya Chief Minister says plan to carve out Shillong agglomeration from East Khasi Hills will be assessed against eight governance and infrastructure benchmarks before approval.
Shillong: Conrad Kongkal Sangma proposed that carving out the Shillong agglomeration from the East Khasi Hills district and upgrading it into a separate district will be evaluated strictly on administrative and developmental parameters rather than public sentiment.
Replying to a short-duration discussion moved by Paul Lyngdoh in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Sangma outlined eight benchmarks for consideration: geographical size, population, distance from the district headquarters, access to education and healthcare, economic profile, public convenience, communication infrastructure, and financial sustainability.
The CM said every proposal must first be scrutinised by a high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary, with representatives from the Home, Planning, Finance, Community and Rural Development, and Personnel departments, as well as divisional commissioners. The panel will conduct a detailed assessment before making recommendations.
The Chief Minister stressed that administrative restructuring should lead to tangible improvements in governance and service delivery rather than merely redrawing boundaries.
Referring to Shillong’s rapid urban growth, Sangma noted that the population, recorded at 3.54 lakh in 2011, is projected to cross 4.47 lakh by 2041, increasing pressure on infrastructure and civic systems. With multiple authorities, including the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and traditional institutions, operating simultaneously, he said, stronger coordination is essential.
He reiterated that any decision will hinge on long-term planning and administrative feasibility, not political pressure.
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