Shillong, Feb 24 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, addressed the Assembly on Tuesday, dismissing claims of insufficient transparency regarding the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF). He emphasized that the fund is implemented based on genuine public needs and has impacted nearly every area of the state.

During a response to an assembly motion amidst the ongoing Budget Session, Sangma recognized the concerns brought forward by MLAs, yet he reiterated that the CMSDF is managed with utmost transparency and democratic principles.

“In a vast democratic landscape, our goal is to stay open and approachable to the populace,” stated the Chief Minister.

Clarifying the allocation process, Sangma asserted that political affiliations do not influence project approvals, which are instead based solely on necessity. “I do not consider political ties when sanctioning projects. Decisions are made strictly based on need,” he conveyed to the assembly, noting that during outreach programs such as CM Connect, beneficiaries are not interrogated about their political backgrounds.

Sangma characterized the CMSDF as one of the most significant initiatives in Meghalaya, highlighting its widespread impact across various districts and communities. “Any beneficiary of the CMSDF can attest that it has reached virtually every nook of the state, as it is executed with sincerity,” he remarked, urging the legislators to refrain from viewing the scheme with skepticism.

Regarding eligibility, he clarified that each MLA is allowed to propose projects worth up to Rs 10 lakh annually, although not all MLAs are required to utilize this provision.

Sangma assured Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang that his specific concerns would be addressed. He also defended recent modifications to the CMSDF, explaining that previous arrangements, which divided funds between urban and rural sectors, resulted in procedural delays.

“We have optimized the process to ensure that projects are approved as swiftly as possible,” he stated.

In terms of financial distribution, the Chief Minister revealed that the entire allocation of Rs 50 crore for the fiscal year 2025–26 has been fully utilized, with funds disbursed across districts such as West Garo Hills (Rs 13.6 crore), East Khasi Hills (Rs 12.88 crore), South West Garo Hills (Rs 5.1 crore), Ri Bhoi (Rs 3.9 crore), East Garo Hills (Rs 3.76 crore), North Garo Hills (Rs 3.5 crore), East Jaintia Hills (Rs 2.1 crore), West Khasi Hills (Rs 1.94 crore), and Eastern West Khasi Hills (Rs 1.52 crore).

He concluded by stating that the scheme is accessible to MLAs, village councils, NGOs, and individuals, all of whom can reach out directly to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.