National Seminar on Governance and Development in Meghalaya
National Seminar on Governance and Development in Meghalaya
Organised by:Union Christian College & Meghalaya College Teachers' Association (MCTA)
Date: July 6-7, 2022
Venue: Union Christian College, Umïam Khwan
Introduction: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) states, ‘Governance matters for development. Societies with
more effective and accountable governing institutions have been shown to
perform better on a range of issues, from economic growth to human development
and social cohesion’. This statement underlines the importance of governance
in the process of development of any given political system or society.
Governance is an old concept but gained greater emphasis towards the end of
the 20th century when the World Bank laid emphasis on the importance of
governance in the developmental question of Sub-Saharan African countries. In
its Governance and Development (1992) the World Bank defines governance as
“the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country's
economic and social resources for development”. Further the World Bank lays
stress on the principles of efficiency, accountability and transparency in the
functioning of the government as essential elements of good governance which
assumes critical importance in achieving development which is both equitable
and sustainable. The World Bank has identified three distinct aspects of
governance: (i) the form of political regime; (ii) the process by which
authority is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social
resources for development and (iii) the capacity of governments to design,
formulate, and implement policies and discharge functions. The World Bank
perspective of governance therefore stands for “efficient and accountable
government” (Stoker, 1998).
One of the reasons that led to the demand for the formation of Meghalaya as a
separate state was the alleged discrimination by the Assam Government towards
the hill people.
Keeping in mind the interests of their peoples, the statehood fighters
launched sustained and tireless efforts that ultimately led to the birth of
Meghalaya in 1972. Presently, the state is celebrating the yearlong Golden
Jubilee celebration. During the last 50 years the state witnessed progress and
development across sectors whether in terms of physical infrastructures,
education, health, agriculture etc.
In the context of self-comparison, there is every reason for the state to
celebrate the upward trajectory which has been observed. However, in
assessment with other states whether within in North East India or other parts
of the country and also not losing sight of the potential that the state has
for development, there are areas of concerns that the state needs further
efforts and attention to pay to. For example, in the recent report of the NITI
Aayog, Meghalaya was ranked as the poorest state in North East India and the
fifth at all India level. Besides, the state is besieged with un-ending issues
related to civic management of the state capital and other towns in the state,
unending tussle between teachers and the state, deterioration of public
educational institutions, lack of adequate and affordable health care
especially those belonging to the economically vulnerable section of the
society, environmental degradation, increasing land alienation among the rural
poor, lack of empowerment to the local bodies and other issues as well. These
unsettling issues are prevalent in the midst of potential for development that
the state has. Meghalaya is blessed with natural beauty having huge potential
for tourism, endowed with mineral resources and a relatively peaceful
socio-political environment.
Against the above background, the Union Christian College (UCC) and the
Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association (MCTA) consider it important that
there should be an academic discourse on this critical issue which is of great
public importance
Objective: The objectives of the seminar include:
- To assess the governance model and governance processes prevalent in the state of Meghalaya
- To identify the governance gaps that affect developmental goals.
- To identify the measures to improve the governance system to achieve the developmental goals.
Sub themes: The seminar will try to focus on the following sub-themes
taking governance and development as the context.
- Education
- Infrastructure
- Health
- Environment
- Mining and Industry
- Rural Development
- Agriculture
- Sports
- Bureaucracy
Important information
- Last date of submission of abstract: April 25, 2022
- Date of intimation of acceptance: April 27, 2022
- Last date for submission of full paper: June 30, 2022
- Length of abstract: 250 words
- Length of the full paper: 3000-5000 including references
- Style sheet for writing the full paper: APA 7th Edition
- Papers not written in accordance with the APA 7th Edition style sheet shall not be accepted for publication.
Advisory Committee
- Dr. R. Manih, Principal, Union Christian College
- Dr. B.H. Buam, President, Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association and Associate Professor, College of Teacher Education (PGT).
- Dr. Sunil Pio, Vice Principal, Union Christian College
- Dr. A. W. Rani, General Secretary, Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association and Assistant Professor, Synod College
- Shri. D. Deb, Treasurer, Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association and Associate Professor, St. Edmund’s College
- Shri Synsharlang Khashiing, President, Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association and Associate Professor, UCC Unit.
- Convener: Shri Banshaikupar L. Mawlong, Coordinator, IQAC, Union Christian College.
- Joint Convener: Dr. Shairi Nongbri, Joint Secretary, I/C Academic, MCTA and Associate Professor, Lady Keane College.
- Organising Secretary: Dr. Batskhem Myrboh, MCTA’s representative to NEHU Academic Council and Assistant Professor, Synod College.
- Dr. Ashish Malhotra, Associate Professor, Union Christian College
- Dr. J. P. Marak, Assistant Professor, Union Christian College
- Shri J. L. Nonglait, Assistant Professor, Union Christian College
- Dr. Daniel Nongbri, Joint Secretary, I/C AIFUCTO, MCTA and Assistant Professor, Lady Keane College
- Shri. Nangsan Swer, Organising Secretary, Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee, MCTA and Assistant Professor, Lady Keane College.
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