Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, said that the true measure of development lies in the positive impact it creates in the lives of ordinary citizens rather than the number of infrastructure projects undertaken by the government.
Addressing a program in Tura on March 6 to mark eight years of the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, Sangma reflected on the challenges his administration faced since assuming office in 2018.
He said the journey over the past eight years had been difficult at times, but the government managed to overcome the challenges with the support and trust of the people.
“Over the last eight years, our journey has been filled with challenges and difficulties. It has not been easy, but with the blessings from above and the love and support of our citizens, we have been able to overcome most of these obstacles,” Sangma said.
Highlighting the government’s achievements, the chief minister pointed out that projects such as new government buildings, roads, and schools are important indicators of development. However, he stressed that governance should ultimately be evaluated by the difference it makes in the everyday lives of citizens.
Sangma first took the oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Meghalaya on March 6, 2018. With the completion of eight years in office, he has now become the longest-serving chief minister in the state in terms of continuous tenure, surpassing the record of the state’s first chief minister, Williamson A. Sangma, who served for seven years and 335 days in a single stretch.
Interestingly, Sangma had not contested the 2018 Assembly elections and was then serving as a Member of Parliament from the Tura Lok Sabha constituency when the National People’s Party emerged as a key player in forming the coalition government.
Senior party leader Prestone Tynsong was initially projected as the chief ministerial candidate, but coalition partners—including the United Democratic Party, Hill State People’s Democratic Party, and Bharatiya Janata Party—later requested Sangma to return from New Delhi to lead the government.
During the program, Sangma also announced several welfare initiatives, including the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2025–26, which will benefit nearly 98,751 students with financial assistance exceeding ₹5 crore. A ₹3-crore uniform grant scheme for around 50,000 students was also launched through direct benefit transfer.
Additionally, the chief minister remotely inaugurated 101 community halls across Meghalaya under a project supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong described the completion of eight years of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government as a significant milestone, while Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma congratulated the chief minister on his record-breaking tenure.