Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], May 28 (ANI): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma declared that the Tura Secretariat will function as 'additional secretariat' for the people of Garo Hills.

Speaking at a programme at Samanda and Williamnagar on Tuesday, CM Sangma unveiled the architectural drawing of the Tura Secretariat.

'Initially, the project was conceptualised as a mini Secretariat, but the government felt that the infrastructure should be upgraded to accommodate all department offices, the chief minister office, ministers office and bureaucrats', he said, while stating that the Tura Secretariat will ensure delivery of government services to the people of Garo Hills.

'People from Garo Hills have to travel to Shillong for different official works. The purpose of the Tura Secretariat will be to ensure that people from Garo Hills can easily get their official paperwork submitted for further processing at Tura itself', he added.

The initial cost of the mini secretariat at Tura was Rs 30 crore, which has now been estimated at Rs 150 crore.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stated that the Tura Convention Centre will be adjacent to the Tura Secretariat, as depicted in the architectural 3D drawings. He added that the first phase of the Secretariat is slated to be completed by January 2027.

Earlier on May 22, CM Sangma launched the German Language Training Programme for Overseas Placement at the Shillong Tech Park.

The programme, supported by the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) under the Department of Labour, Employment & Skill Development, is aimed at training and placing qualified healthcare professionals from the state in Germany.

Following the successful deployment of Meghalaya's youth to Japan and Singapore, Germany has now become the next destination offering a global stage for the state's aspiring nurses and healthcare professionals.

'What we are doing here today is converting a challenge into a great opportunity. Meghalaya has one of the youngest populations in the country, and we are turning this demographic advantage into a global force. If we send even 30,000 professionals abroad, the remittances can amount to Rs 250 crore a month -- that's Rs 3000 crore a year into our families' hands', the Chief Minister remarked. (ANI)