Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma dismissed claims of transparency issues in executing the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF). He stated that the program is driven by public necessity and has reached various parts of the state. During the Assembly’s Budget Session, Sangma addressed concerns raised by lawmakers, highlighting the fund’s commitment to openness and democratic accessibility.
The Chief Minister emphasized that political considerations do not influence fund allocation decisions. Projects are approved solely based on identified needs, without any bias towards political affiliations. Sangma assured that initiatives like CM Connect do not discriminate based on party backgrounds, emphasizing the widespread impact of the CMSDF across districts and communities.
Sangma clarified that each Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) can propose projects worth up to Rs 10 lakh annually under the CMSDF. He assured a specific MLA that his concerns would be reviewed. The Chief Minister defended recent reforms to the fund, citing past delays due to the division of funds between urban and rural sectors, which have now been streamlined for quicker project approvals.
In terms of financial utilization, Sangma disclosed that the entire Rs 50 crore allocated for 2025–26 has been utilized. Funds have been distributed to various districts, including West Garo Hills, East Khasi Hills, South West Garo Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, East Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, and Eastern West Khasi Hills. The scheme remains open to MLAs, village bodies, NGOs, and individuals, who can directly approach the Chief Minister’s Secretariat for assistance.
