CM Conrad urges PM Modi to raise Meghalaya’s EAP ceiling to Rs 15,000 cr
Shillong, Jan 29: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the state’s progress made across various sectors and sought continued support from the Centre to keep up the pace of development in the state, during a meeting with the latter on Thursday.
He also submitted a set of documents to the Prime Minister, including the “Vision 2032” for sustained economic growth, and proposals aimed at maintaining the State’s development momentum in alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat.
Presenting his government’s Vision 2032, Sangma has requested the Centre to consider an Externally Aided Project (EAP) ceiling of at least Rs 15,000 crore, enhanced tax devolution and a special 1% horizontal devolution carve-out for the seven smaller NER States, along with a dedicated annual infrastructure grant of Rs 14,000 crore for five years to bridge critical gaps and offset structural cost disadvantages – for the 16th Finance Commission period.
“The State requests that during 16th FC period tax devolution levels be maintained and enhanced for smaller NER States…,” he said.
Noting that EAPs are central to Meghalaya’s development, enabling large, long-gestation investments that annual budgets cannot support, he said EAPs over the past decade have delivered transformative outcomes – from India’s largest PES program and coal-mine land restoration to farmer collectivization, agri-tourism development, and systemic improvements in power, health, roads, and higher education.
Meghalaya is currently implementing 15 EAPs, with 2 additional projects under loan negotiation. Cumulative value of these projects stands at Rs 12,166 crore, with a loan component of Rs 9,126 crore, along with an additional Rs 15,000 crore of critical infrastructure projects in the pipeline for Sixteenth Finance Commission period.
“Based on demonstrated execution capacity and projected development requirements, the State requests that an EAP ceiling of at least Rs 15,000 crore, be considered for the Sixteenth Finance Commission period,” Sangma stated.
In a video statement issued after the meeting, the chief minister said, “(During the meeting with) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many aspects of development of the state of Meghalaya were discussed. In the last seven-and-a-half – eight years, we have gone through a long journey of different challenges and opportunities and at the same time different development works that have taken place.”
He said he could share some of the key works in various sectors with the Prime Minister.
“I also shared some of the challenges and concerns that we have. I also requested the Prime Minister that if certain aspects in the upcoming budget and upcoming finance commission reports could also be looked into and suggestions were made in those lines as well,” he added.
Thanking the Prime Minister for his leadership especially when it comes to the North East part of India as well as the state of Meghalaya in particular, Sangma said, “A large development aspect and different programmes and schemes have been given to the North East which have made a huge difference. Our state of Meghalaya has also benefited largely.”
Referring to the “tremendous growth” witnessed by Meghalaya in the past eight years, he said, “In terms of its GSDP, we are the second fastest growing economy as well as an economy that has consistently grown at an average of about 10 percent in the past three years.”
Stating that he had presented all these facts to the Prime Minister, he said, “We look for his continuous support… for taking the state of Meghalaya forward,” he added.
Earlier, the chief minister also highlighted improvements in maternal health and human development indicators, strengthening of large processing units and market linkages to double farmers income, advances in development of New Shillong city, expansion of tourism through private sector and community participation, preparations for hosting the 39th National Games in 2027, and sustained efforts in preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage.
