Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has called on the central government to revise the Externally Aided Projects (EAP) ceiling for northeastern states. Speaking at the 11th General Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, Sangma argued that an increased cap would empower smaller, resource-constrained states to secure more foreign financial assistance for critical infrastructure and human development.
The EAP ceiling acts as a cap on foreign funding from institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, set by the Ministry of Finance to ensure debt sustainability and equitable resource distribution. Sangma noted that if the limit is raised, Meghalaya could pursue projects exceeding USD 1 billion.
"A generous revision of the EAP ceiling for the northeastern and hilly states during the 16th Finance Commission period would enable us to sustain our growth momentum," Sangma said. He pointed to the state's economic performance as justification for the request, noting that the Gross State Domestic Product grew from Rs 29,508 crore in 2018 to Rs 59,626 crore in 2024-25.
During his address, the Chief Minister highlighted several local achievements, including the addition of 2,400 kilometres of new roads and a significant increase in rural tap water coverage. He also credited the state's progress to the Meghalaya Excellence Framework, a governance model designed to support the state's goal of reaching the top ten per capita income rankings in India by 2032.
Sangma acknowledged the central government's role in this development, specifically thanking Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the Special Assistance to states for Capital Investment scheme. He emphasized that the state remains committed to the national development model, concluding that when states in the Northeast prosper, it strengthens the country as a whole.
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