Shillong February 2: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, whose NPP party is part of the Narendra Modi led NDA alliance, has hailed the union budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman terming it “visionary” “inclusive” and “growth-oriented” for Meghalaya state and the rest of the country.
“The Union Budget 2025-26 reflects an inclusive and growth oriented financial framework that resonates with Meghalaya’s development objectives. The focused support from the Centre in key sectors, including agriculture, MSME, connectivity, and skilling, will drive our state’s growth, aligning with our vision of achieving a 10 billion USD economy,” stated Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in his first reaction to the union budget tabled in Parliament on Saturday by the finance minister.
The Union Finance Minister’s budget aims at leveraging the four growth engines, namely, Agriculture, MSMEs, Investments and Exports. It also lays emphasis on boosting the growth path, boosting manufacturing and furthering Make in India, Supporting MSMEs, Enabling Employment-led Development, investing in people, economy and innovation, Securing Energy Supplies, Promoting Exports and Nurturing Innovation.
The chief minister said that Meghalaya has dedicated itself to harnessing these opportunities to accelerate development, generate employment, and move closer to its goal of doubling the GSDP.
“Together, we are shaping a prosperous future for the people of Meghalaya,” said Conrad K Sangma.
KCC loan increase to benefit Meghalaya farmers:
Notably, among several key factors mentioned in the budget, the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana will cover 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity and below-average banking parameters.
“This is expected to help low agricultural productivity districts of Meghalaya. In addition, the KCC loan limit will be increased to ₹5 lakh from the current limit of ₹3 lakh. This will benefit the large number of KCC beneficiaries in our State,” said the chief minister as he termed it a major positive aspect of the budget.
UDAN to boost air connectivity in Meghalaya:
The central government’s decision to launch a modified Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme to connect 120 destinations is in sync with Meghalaya’s aim to develop its potential and tourism, stated Conrad Sangma.
“The Union Finance Minister said the modified scheme will help about four crore additional passengers in the next 10 years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly and aspirational Districts across the country. This will improve air connectivity in States like Meghalaya, thereby giving its tourism industry a major boost,” an optimistic chief minister stated.
Sangma also pointed out that the budget proposes development of about 50 tourist destinations in the country in partnership with the States. The States will provide land for key infrastructure needed. “This will not only complement Meghalaya’s current investments and efforts in developing world-class tourism infrastructure, but also position our State as a global tourism destination,” he mentioned.
Malnourishment and stunted growth in Children:
The union budget has also laid emphasis on key aspects of health and education with increased allocations for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, including enhancement of cost norms for nutritional support.
“This will help us address the challenges of malnourishment and stunting. Along with the ECD Mission of Meghalaya, this will ensure a better future for the children,” assured Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
The Union Government will also facilitate setting up of daycare cancer centers in all district hospitals over the next three years. Notably 200 such hospitals will be established in 2025-26, and all the remaining districts will be covered in the next three years, thereby benefiting the Health Sector of Meghalaya.
High speed internet connectivity for schools:
The central budget’s extension of broadband connectivity to all Government secondary and primary schools is expected to ensure better access to digital learning resources and the Conrad Sangma government is optimistic this initiative will further add to the State Government’s interventions in providing e-learning resources in Meghalaya and will not only improve educational outcomes but also enhance the employability of our students.
Increase in credit guarantee for start-ups to aid youth and entrepreneurs of state:
In a state where the young entrepreneurs are benefitted by flagship schemes like CM ELEVATE & PRIME, the increase in credit guarantee cover for MSMEs from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore for micro and small units, from Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore for start-ups will provide stimulus for industrial growth, says the chief minister. “This access to credit along with the incentives offered by Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy will help the youth and entrepreneurs of Meghalaya,” he said.
The budget also highlighted that each infrastructure-related ministry will come up with a 3-year pipeline of projects that can be implemented in public-private partnership (PPP) mode- something which the Government of Meghalaya, led by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has already begun implementing across different sectors of development.
Special Assistance Scheme in Meghalaya to cross Rs 2k Crore:
The continuation of the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment with an outlay of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in this budget will further accelerate infrastructure development in the State, believes Meghalaya Government. In 2023-24 alone, Meghalaya utilized more than Rs 1300 crore under this scheme and in 2024-25 the utilization is expected to cross over Rs 2,000 crores.
With an increase in the total share of tax devolution to Meghalaya from Rs 9,566.09 crore to Rs 9,870.40 crore as per the RE 2024-25 announced by the Union Government, the B.E for 2025-26 is Rs 10,910.14 crore, an increase of Rs 1,039.74 crore from the RE 2024-25.
:As stated, these initiatives will not only foster growth and aid in realizing Meghalaya’s vision of doubling the GSDP, but also in fulfilment of the state’s goal of becoming a 10 billion USD economy,” stated a senior finance official from the state.
