Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday, September 9. The meeting took place at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi. They want more money. The leaders pressed for a renewed push regarding Externally Aided Projects across the Northeast region.
Sangma specifically asked for an additional Rs 10,000 crore for Meghalaya. The state currently holds a Rs 5,000 crore limit, a figure that has stayed flat since the last Finance Commission. Sangma previously looked to reach a total of Rs 15,000 crore for state development. He cited Meghalaya’s strong track record in project execution as justification. The Centre covers 90 percent of loans for these specific projects.
Sarma and Sangma aimed to boost capital expenditure. They also discussed opening new channels for social and physical infrastructure investment. Assam’s resident commissioner Kavitha Padmanabhan joined senior Ministry of Finance officials at the session. Regarding the meeting, Sarma noted, "We made a strong case to bring a new impetus to the pace of externally-aided projects in both of our states, which will open new investment channels for physical and social infrastructure."
Sitharaman reportedly gave a positive response. She assured the chief ministers that the central government intends to advance the regional development agenda. Sangma thanked the minister for her ongoing support of Northeast aspirations following the discussions.
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