A rare husband-wife exchange enlivened proceedings in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Tuesday as Ampati MLA Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma pressed Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma who also holds the livestock portfolio on delays in establishing a veterinary college, two fisheries colleges and a dairy college approved by the state cabinet in 2022 and reiterated in the Governor’s address.
During Question Hour on 24 February 2026, the MLA sought clarity on land allocation, detailed project reports (DPRs), funding and staffing, flagging that vacancies at existing livestock education centres remain high and that implementation has been slower than anticipated. Responding on behalf of the government, the Chief Minister assured the House that the proposed institutions are being prioritised.
He said around 800 acres in Ri-Bhoi district have been identified for the veterinary college, that DPRs are in progress for all colleges and that steps are being taken to ensure adequate manpower and financial resources before operations begin. The exchange highlighted wider concerns about policy delivery and human resource gaps in livestock-related education in the state.
Assembly Questions College Delays
The Assembly debate on Tuesday drew attention not only because of the participants’ personal relationship, but also because it brought into sharp focus public expectations around promised educational infrastructure. MLA Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, representing the National People’s Party (NPP) from Ampati, pressed the Chief Minister on why there had been little visible progress on setting up the approved livestock education institutions.
“These institutions were approved by the cabinet in 2022 and mentioned in the Governor’s address,” she said during Question Hour. “But on the ground, we have neither clear timelines nor sufficient manpower at existing centres. What is the status of land acquisition, DPRs and recruitment?” Her questions underscored worries shared by several legislators that a lack of clarity could dampen confidence among students and families who are depending on these colleges for future opportunities.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma acknowledged these concerns, affirming that education and training in livestock, fisheries and dairy sectors remain central to the government’s strategy. “These were the three colleges which we have decided because of the urgent need, keeping in mind that a large population of the state is engaged in livestock rearing,” he said in the Assembly, reiterating the rationale behind Cabinet approval.
The Chief Minister went on to outline developments so far: approximately 800 acres in Ri-Bhoi district have been identified for the veterinary college, and preparatory work is under way for detailed project reports for all three institutions. He said the government is conscious that it must ensure adequate funding and staffing before making the colleges fully operational. “There is a shortage of veterinary professionals,” he conceded, adding that recruitment efforts are being accelerated, and that the government will not rush operations without sufficient manpower.
Why the Colleges Matter: Context and Concerns
Livestock, fisheries and dairy sectors are important pillars of Meghalaya’s rural economy. A significant proportion of the state’s population depends directly on animal rearing and allied activities for their livelihoods. These sectors contribute to food security, nutritional outcomes and income generation, especially in hilly and rural areas where agriculture alone may not suffice.
Despite their importance, access to high-quality, specialised education in related disciplines has been limited within Meghalaya. Many students seeking veterinary, fisheries or dairy education have had to move out of the state to pursue advanced diplomas or degrees. For policymakers and educators, the proposed colleges have been seen as a way to develop local capacity, retain talent and build a skilled workforce that can support both traditional livelihoods and emerging opportunities in agri-business, animal health and enterprise development.
It was against this background that the Meghalaya Cabinet cleared the plan for a veterinary college, two fisheries colleges and a dairy college in 2022. The initiatives were later highlighted in the Governor’s address to the Assembly, signalling continuity and priority across legislative sessions.
However, successive assemblies have witnessed questions from MLAs about slow progress. Apart from questions on land identification and planning, legislators have repeatedly cited the absence of concrete timelines, details on funding sources and the lack of trained staff at existing facilities.
During Tuesday’s session, Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma sought specifics on whether construction work has commenced, whether funds have been released by the state, and whether mechanisms are in place to retain faculty once the colleges begin operations. Chief Minister Sangma replied that the government is working with relevant departments to ensure these steps are taken in proper sequence, even as he acknowledged that staffing shortages at veterinary centres are a real challenge.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Policy announcements carry value only when they translate into outcomes that improve lives and empower communities. In Meghalaya, where hundreds of thousands engage in livestock, fisheries and dairy activities as primary or supplementary livelihoods, robust education and training infrastructure can be a game-changer.
The exchange between MLA Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma is noteworthy not just for its personal dimension, but for the democratic principle it reflects: public representatives must hold governments accountable for delivery on commitments.
