Shillong, March 29: In a significant boost to Central funding to hilly states like Meghalaya, the Centre has introduced ‘Pride of Hills’ scheme through which the state is going to receive Rs 2,070 crore for 2026-27 financial year.
The newly launched ‘Pride of Hills’ component under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) aims at accelerating development in India’s hill states facing structural and geographical challenges.
Expressing his gratitude to to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for launching the initiative, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the creation of the ‘Pride of Hills’ component is a “special recognition of the unique challenges” faced by hill states such as Meghalaya.
The initiative also acknowledges the “transformative development” under way in the region, Sangma said in a social media post.
The scheme, with a total outlay of Rs 25,000 crore, targets states grappling with difficult terrain, low population density, and limited revenue-generating capacity—factors that often result in weaker fiscal indicators and higher dependence on central transfers.
According to official documents, the funding is intended to boost capital expenditure and support states in managing committed liabilities such as salaries, pensions, and interest payments, while strengthening infrastructure and development projects.
Among the beneficiaries, Arunachal Pradesh has been allocated the highest share of Rs 4,900 crore, followed by Himachal Pradesh’s Rs 3,920 crore and Nagaland’s Rs 3,880 crore. Meghalaya’s Rs 2,070 crore allocation places it among the mid-tier recipients under the scheme.
Officials say the additional allocation—beyond existing SASCI provisions—could provide a significant boost to infrastructure development and economic growth in hill states, including Meghalaya.
