Conrad thanks PM for placing NE at the centre of its devp agenda

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday expressed his gratitude to the Union government and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for consistently placing the Northeast at the centre of its development agenda.
“Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, the full support of the ministries, including the Finance Ministry, has been extended to all the states of the Northeast, including Meghalaya. The frequent visits of the Prime Minister and Union Ministers have never been seen so proactively before. I thank the Government of India for consistently placing the Northeast at the centre of its development agenda,” he said
Sangma was addressing a programme wherein Union Finance and Corporate Affairs minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid foundation stones and launched major transformative projects, worth Rs. 1,087.81 crore at an Integrated Public Programme held at the LARITI – International Centre for Performing Arts and Culture in Shillong.
Thanking the Union government for its continued support to Meghalaya, the Chief Minister said, “The Union Finance Minister’s visit is important, not only for official programmes but also to connect with the citizens of the state; to understand first-hand the problems we face, and to provide necessary guidance and solutions for the way forward”. Highlighting the model of “purpose-based, target-based and result-based governance”, the Sangma iterated Meghalaya’s goal of becoming one among India’s top-10 states by 2032.
He mentioned about Meghalaya’s goal of becoming an USD 10 billion-dollar economy and pointed out that Meghalaya is now close to becoming a $6-billion economy, with a growth rate nearing 15 per cent, significantly higher than the national average.
Sangma also informed the Finance Minister that Meghalaya has successfully leveraged a large number of schemes through Externally Aided Projects, which serve as a major source of funding for smaller states.
These initiatives have enabled the state to implement a wide array of developmental projects, with total funding nearing Rs. 12,000 crore, contributing significantly to the state’s overall growth.
Dignitaries also released the ‘PRIME Impact Report, Meghalaya on the Move: Achievements over 7 Years’, highlighting the state’s achievements in governance, innovation, and enterprise across sectors.
Key projects launched on Friday included 75 digital libraries in remote areas (162 Cr, SASCI). Implemented by the State Rural Employment Society, this initiative will establish 750 digital libraries in rural areas, linking youth to the National Digital Library and encouraging a reading culture.
Redevelopment of Umiam Lake (Rs 120.81 Cr, SASCI-funded), is a flagship tourism project to transform Umiam Lake into a world-class eco-tourism hub, expected to attract over 1.27 lakh tourists annually and generate nearly 4,000 jobs. MICE & Tourism Infrastructure at Mawkhanu (Rs 103 Cr, SASCI): Spread over 106 acres, this includes the Meghalayan Experience Theme Park, an open-air amphitheatre, and festival zones to boost tourism beyond Shillong. Mawkhanu Football Stadium (Rs 732 Cr, proposed SASCI funding): A state-of-the-art complex with a residential football academy, in partnership with NorthEast United FC, reaffirming Meghalaya’s status as the Football Capital of India.
Working Women’s Hostels (Rs 132 Cr, SASCI): Safe, affordable accommodations in Shillong (400 beds), and Jowai, Byrnihat, and Tura (200 beds each), providing enhanced support to working women.
Office-cum-Residential Complex for CBIC, New Shillong (Rs 256.23 Cr): A modern integrated facility to strengthen CBIC’s administrative operations in Meghalaya.
Northeast Regional Campus of Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Mawkhanu (Rs 100.95 Cr, PM’s DevINE): A premier institution for corporate governance, economic research, and capacity building in the Northeast. Notably, it is the first time, IICA will have its office beyond Delhi.
In a significant boost to Meghalaya’s organic farming sector, Sitharaman flagged off a 2-metric-tonne consignment of premium organic pineapples to LULU Retail, Dubai, under the IFAD-supported Megha-LAMP initiative. Sourced from farmers of the Jirang Organics Farmer Producer Company in Ri-Bhoi, this consignment underscores Meghalaya’s emergence as a key player in the global horticultural value chain.