Chief Minister Conrad Sangma calls for stronger inter-state collaboration and trust-building among agencies
Shillong, June 20: A two-day seminar focused on strengthening institutional capacity across India’s North Eastern region concluded on Saturday with a valedictory function attended by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
The seminar, titled Leveraging Externally Aided Projects in the North East, had been inaugurated by Finance Minister Sitharaman on Friday. It brought together Chief Ministers, senior state government officials and development partners from all eight North Eastern states to discuss how externally aided projects, or EAPs, can be better harnessed for the region’s development.
Speaking at the concluding session, Chief Minister Sangma described the event as a landmark gathering for the region. “This seminar was not only about funding but aimed at fostering partnerships, improving state capacities and enhancing the relationship between different states and central agencies,” he said.
Sangma noted that the high level of attendance from Chief Ministers across the region reflected the seriousness with which states are approaching the EAP sector and its potential impact. He credited the Finance Minister’s personal initiative and guidance for bringing the seminar to fruition.
The Chief Minister stressed that building relationships and trust among government officials and agencies was among the seminar’s most valuable outcomes. “These relationships have a direct bearing on decision-making,” he said, adding that events of this kind provide a platform to foster the collaboration needed to drive progress in the North East.
Sangma also called for deeper cooperation among the eight states, encouraging them to expand discussions and draw on each other’s strengths in areas such as tourism, climate change and youth affairs. He underlined the role of EAPs in boosting state capacity, enabling better project implementation and increasing uptake of centrally sponsored schemes.
Concluding his remarks, the Chief Minister thanked all participants for their contributions and urged that the seminar’s deliberations be translated into concrete action. He expressed particular gratitude to Finance Minister Sitharaman for her sustained interest in and care for the North Eastern states.
The seminar was organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
