Spl package unlikely for state

SHILLONG: The Centre is unlikely to provide any financial package to bail out Meghalaya, which is reeling under financial crisis, unless the state shows some improvement.
An MDA delegation led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had met both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley last week and apprised them of the state’s financial health.
The Fifth Pay Commission recommendations and coal mining ban had brought additional burden on the state exchequer.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sangma said the state government did not specifically ask for any financial package from the Centre.
“We did not speak about any financial package as such. But there are different aspects of central assistance,” Sangma said, adding the state needs to perform following which the Centre will consider its needs.