Meghalaya CM thanks PM, FM for launching ‘Pride of Hills’

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for introducing the ‘Pride of Hills’ scheme under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for 2026-27.
Meghalaya will receive Rs. 2,070 crore under a newly introduced package which aims to provide additional financial assistance to hill states to overcome structural challenges and promote sustainable development.
Chief Minister Sangma said the ‘Pride of Hills’ component is a “special recognition of our unique challenges and the transformative development being undertaken in Meghalaya.”
An amount of Rs. 25,000 crore is earmarked under ‘Pride of Hills’ to accelerate development, improve connectivity, and foster economic growth, reflecting the central government’s commitment to balanced regional development, an official said.
“The Hill States of India face unique financial and developmental challenges arising from difficult terrain, inaccessibility, low population density, and limited revenue-generating capacity.
Consequently, these States are more dependent on financial assistance from the central government,” the official said.
He said hill states typically exhibit weaker fiscal indicators, including high Debt-to-GDP ratios, relatively low Own Tax Revenue (OTR) base, and a higher dependence on Central transfers.
“In order to accelerate the development of Hill States, there is a need for enhanced investment in capital expenditure, along with financial support to address committed liabilities,” he explained.