Having completed just over a month in office, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma speaks to TOI’s Chandrima Banerjee about his plans for the state and the challenges ahead of himOn the first month in officeOver the past month, we have been trying to set the system in order. This will help us deliver on the plans and proposals we have taken up. We have been reviewing all departments and assessing where the issues lie. So the last month has been more about trying to understand where we stand right now, to look at the bigger picture and see how we can improve the overall work culture.On the focus areas of the new governmentOur priority is good governance. We will ensure that a good system is in place to implement and monitor whatever was done, is being done and will be done in the future. For that, it’s very important to have a good work culture and discipline, which includes financial discipline. We have identified the core sectors we will prioritize. The first is agriculture , followed by infrastructure . The third is the social vertical – education, health, social welfare – sectors that touch every life. Finally, we will focus on the socio-economic sector and try to boost tourism and entrepreneurship. We are trying to move as fast as possible.On progress of the Smart City project for ShillongThe funding pattern for the Smart City project is still a problem. The Centre is offering a 50:50 pattern (where the state bears half the funding costs and the Centre half), like they are giving everyone else. But we have requested the Centre to consider a 90:10 funding pattern (where the Centre bears 90% of the costs and the state government pays 10%) for Meghalaya. That has not happened yet. It is still under discussion. There are some infrastructure challenges, like every other state, but we will have to work around that. That is the task ahead of us.On balancing development and environmental concernsWe understand how mining, especially coal mining, affects the environment. At the same time, there are economic issues that we have to take care of. We have to ensure people’s livelihood and the state’s revenue are not affected. But we will never compromise on environmental issues. That is a real challenge. We are trying to balance it out. With new technology, with the right policy in place and support from all stakeholders, I think it is possible to minimize the impact on environment and, at the same time, ensure that economic activities can continue.On the controversy surrounding a proposal for work permits for Bangladeshis I don’t understand why this is a contentious issue. The issue here is illegal immigration . What we are discussing is economic development. When trade takes place, there will be movement of human resources . When that happens, there is definitely a challenge. But will we run away from it? We can’t. All I’m saying is that we need to discuss the issue. It needs to be addressed. It needs to be debated so we can arrive at the best possible solution.

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