Guwahati/Shillong, Feb 1: The Union Budget 2025-26 has proposed several initiatives poised to have a huge positive impact on the North East by empowering sectors such as connectivity, agriculture, socio-economic development, and infrastructure growth.
Chief ministers of the region, including Meghalaya’s Conrad K Sangma and neighbouring Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the Union Budget 2025, describing it as a blueprint for accelerated growth and inclusive development. The industry too has welcomed it.
Conrad K Sangma thanked Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the expanded UDAN scheme, which aims to connect 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore passengers over the next decade. For the hilly, aspirational, and remote districts of the Northeast, the scheme includes helipads and smaller airports, promising improved accessibility.
He expressed gratitude for the initiative, emphasizing its potential to boost tourism and economic growth. “Enhanced air connectivity will make Meghalaya and the Northeast more accessible to both domestic and international tourists,” he noted.
“Enhanced air connectivity will make Meghalaya and the Northeast more accessible to both domestic and international tourists,” he noted.
One of the key highlights is the proposed urea plant at Namrup with an annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed it as a “game-changer” for the agricultural sector.
Calling the ₹50 lakh crore Union Budget a “Viksit Bharat roadmap,” Sarma expressed optimism that it would fuel Assam’s growth trajectory and fulfill the aspirations of its people.
The cost norms for the nutritional support will be enhanced appropriately, under the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programme that provides nutritional support to more than 8 crore children, 1 crore pregnant women and lactating mothers all over the country, and about 20 lakh adolescent girls in aspirational districts and the north-east region.
Agriculture reforms, including the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, are expected to boost crop diversification and benefit rural areas in the Northeast. Power sector reforms and an extended Jal Jeevan Mission aim to improve sustainable infrastructure and water access.
Tourism received a push with plans for 50 destination sites and incentives for Buddhist tourism circuits, while MUDRA loans for homestays are set to empower grassroots entrepreneurs.
About 50 tourist destination sites will be developed in the country in partnership with the States. The States will provide land for key infrastructure needed. “This will complement Meghalaya’s investments and efforts in developing world-class tourist infrastructure and position our State as a global tourism destination,” Sangma said.
Initiatives for women and youth, including Saksham Anganwadi and PM Research Fellowships, also promise significant social impact.
Despite the absence of direct benefits to the tea industry, stakeholders believe agricultural schemes like the Krishi Yojana could indirectly support the sector.
With a 47.6% increase in MDoNER’s allocation to ₹5915 crore, Sarat Kumar Jain of ICC Assam and Meghalaya Committee emphasized the transformative potential of these measures. “From the Namrup plant to expanded connectivity, this budget is vital for socio-economic growth,” he said.
Bajrang Lohia, President of The Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) said the Budget prioritizes agricultural reforms, which are expected to greatly benefit the agrarian economy of the North East, with specific programs aimed at bolstering growth in rural areas. Additionally, the budget introduces initiatives like the UDAAN and N Scheme, which will expand regional connectivity and tourism opportunities in the North East. These measures reflect the government’s vision of long-term, sustainable growth for the region.
