Meghalaya, Assam CMs meet Sitharaman to discuss EAP issues
Shillong, Sept 9: The Centre will give a fresh impetus to accelerate Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) in the North East. The assurance was given by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her meeting with Chief Ministers of Meghalaya and Assam in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The two Chief Ministers called on the Finance Minister to discuss issues related to EAPs for their respective states.
In his social media post, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “Met the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, Smti @nsitharaman ji along with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. @himantabiswa ji to discuss matters relating to Externally Aided Projects. Thank the Union Finance Minister for always supporting the aspirations of Meghalaya and the NE Region.”
Giving more details of the meeting, Sangma said the focus was on increasing capital expenditure in the region.
“With an objective to increase capital expenditure into India’s North East, I along with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri @SangmaConrad Ji had a very good meeting with the Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt @nsitharaman Ji,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated in his social media post.
He said, “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. The Hon’ble Finance Minister responded positively and assured us of a renewed push from the Government of India to advance this important development agenda.”
EAPs are implemented with funding from international agencies such as the World Bank, ADB and JICA and are critical for financing major physical and social infrastructure projects in the North East.
