Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday said the state government is using the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMDSF) to accelerate grassroots development by supporting small but impactful projects across the state. Speaking at a programme held at his official residence in Tura for the distribution of CMDSF-approved schemes, Sangma said the initiative was created to address local development needs that are often not covered under regular departmental programmes.

The Chief Minister said the CMDSF is designed to support community-level projects that have a direct impact on people’s lives. He explained that the fund is financed through the budget of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and focuses on meeting urgent local requirements through faster financial assistance. Sangma said the scheme has gained popularity among citizens due to its role in supporting development activities at the grassroots level.

Sangma acknowledged that the government has received a large number of requests for assistance under the scheme, which has occasionally resulted in delays in approving and releasing funds. He said the rising demand reflects public confidence in the programme but also presents challenges due to limited financial resources. The Chief Minister assured that the government would work towards ensuring fair distribution of benefits across all regions, including Garo Hills, Khasi Hills, and Jaintia Hills.

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The Chief Minister emphasised that all CMDSF allocations are processed through a structured administrative system to maintain transparency and accountability. Applications are reviewed through the offices of respective Deputy Commissioners before funds are released. He said the process has been established to ensure that financial assistance reaches deserving projects while maintaining proper oversight.

Sangma added that while various development programmes are already being implemented by different government departments, the CMDSF serves as an important mechanism for addressing immediate local needs. The initiative allows the government to respond quickly to smaller infrastructure requirements and community welfare projects that may require timely support.

The programme also highlighted the sectors and locations where CMDSF-funded projects have been approved, with the government focusing on greater transparency by making details of supported works available to the public. Officials said the scheme aims to strengthen last-mile delivery of development and ensure that communities across Meghalaya receive timely assistance for local development initiatives.

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