Shillong: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced a staggering 231 per cent increase in central financial support to Meghalaya over the last decade, marking a significant push for the state’s development. Speaking at a press conference during her four-day visit to the northeastern state, the minister highlighted that Meghalaya received a colossal Rs 89,335 crore in tax devolution and Grants-in-Aid from the Centre between 2014 and 2024. This figure represents an impressive Rs 62,362 crore more than the Rs 26,973 crore disbursed during the preceding decade, from 2004 to 2014, when the UPA government was at the helm.
The Finance Minister elaborated that tax devolution alone witnessed a phenomenal 572 per cent jump, skyrocketing from Rs 7,273 crore in the 2004-2014 period to Rs 48,883 crore in the subsequent ten years. Grants-in-Aid also saw a substantial rise, climbing from Rs 19,700 crore to Rs 40,452 crore. Sitharaman asserted that “this unprecedented scale of financial assistance has transformed Meghalaya’s development landscape,” empowering the state to accelerate critical infrastructure projects, expand connectivity, bolster rural development initiatives, and significantly enhance public services in education and healthcare sectors.
Furthermore, the Union Finance Minister underscored the impact of the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI). Under this scheme, Meghalaya alone received Rs 5,471 crore as part of a nationwide disbursement of Rs 5.3 lakh crore in the form of 50-year interest-free loans. The entire North Eastern region, she noted, collectively received Rs 48,804 crore under SASCI, demonstrating the Centre’s focused approach towards the region’s growth. The minister’s visit, which commenced on Thursday, aims to review ongoing developmental initiatives and engage with various stakeholders across Meghalaya.
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