Jowai’s Mini Secretariat foundation laid to pave way for govt shopping mall

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 4, 2022

The foundation stone of the much hyped Mini Secretariat after the shifting of the PWD Jowai North Division to Shangpung was finally laid after a long wait of two years by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday in PWD Compound, Lathadlaboh Jowai.

The Integrated Development Complex (Mini Secretariat) will house the office of Deputy Commissioner as to pave way for the setting up of shopping mall at the present DC’s office in Iawmusiang, Jowai.

According to an official write up, Integrated Development complex has been sanctioned at an overall amount of 19,83,43,067/- (Rupees Nineteen crore eighty three lakh forty three thousand sixty seven) only by the Meghalaya General Administrative Department.

The Complex will be constructed in PWD Compound, Ladthadlaboh Jowai.

Also Read | Deputy Commissioner’s office, Jowai all set to become a shopping mall

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on the 7th Nov 2020 promised to sanction for construction of the Mini Secretariat but now Integrated Development Complex for the betterment of the people of West Jaintia Hills District.

The master plan of the complex is G+3 Storey Buildings and is for 3 (Three) Blocks i.e. (1) East Block (ii) West Block and (ii) North Block with a total approximate cost over 40,00,00,000/- (Rupees Forty crore) only, with a total plinth Area of 3.63 Acre.

However due to fund constraint, in the first phase, the construction was proposed for Construction of West Block only, (G+3 and Basement) with an approximate cost of about 20,00,00,000/(Rupees Twenty Crore) only.

The Govt. Department/ offices proposed to be accommodated in this complex are DC’s Office with its different axillaries branches like Election Branch, Supply Branch, Revenue Branch, Planning Branch, Basin Development, etc and Social Welfare, District Child Protection Office, Sport Department, Treasury Officer, Excise Department, I.P.R. Office, Tourism, Border Area, Mining Department etc and other Govt. Offices which are still operating from rented houses.

Also Read | Jowai MCH Hospital inaugurated without appointment of medical officers

Defending the Government decision for constructing the Complex, Sangma said the idea is to bring reforms in the administration and to make the overall public service delivery a much more simpler and easy process.

It started with us coming out with an act that will allow or make and ensure that public service is delivered at a specific time period, he said.

He cited an example that for caste certificates sometimes it takes a week’s month but through this act the official and the department that this certificate is given to concerned applicant within a certain time.

It may be recalled, Meghalaya Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar informed that the present DC’s office will be converted into a shopping complex after it is shifted to the mini secretariat on May 27, last, He said while addressing a gathering in the inaugural function of told a gathering at the inauguration of the Jowai Renovation Water Supply Scheme at the treatment plant of Public Health Engineering, Electrical Division, Urkhla Jowai.