From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI, April 28: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has sought NITI Aayog’s support as the MDA 2.0 envisages to make Meghalaya a US $10-billion economy and one of the top ten states by doubling GDP.
At a recent meeting with NITI Aayog, he gave a detailed presentation on how Meghalaya, despite its inherent constraints, has managed to achieve success in different fields and at times, was the best in the country. He cited that it was adjudged the best in the startup ecosystem.
He said Meghalaya should have a state knowledge institution named “Meghalaya Institution for Transformation and Innovation”. A knowledge institution and innovation centre helps industry leaders develop a deeper understanding of business and technology trends through compelling thought leadership, he said.
Giving details of the success story during the last five years, he said under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the state constructed 4,857 km of roads compared to 1,765 km during the corresponding period. Similarly, under Jal Jeevan Mission, the number of household coverage increased to 3,11,136 from 4,500.
According to Sangma’s presentation, over 4,000 entrepreneurs have been incubated and supported by the state in the last five years. It said efforts are being made to invest Rs 800 crore in youth who constitute a staggering 74% of the state’s population.
There are novel programmes like STAR (Structured Talent Identification Programme in Sports) and ASPIRE (Structured soft skills and talent identification programme in all domains), Sangma said.
The number of farmer producers’ groups has increased to 25,963 from just 200 in 2018, the chief minister said, adding the government has a target to double the farmers’ income for around six lakh rural households.
Similarly, the CM continued, the number of self-help groups increased from 5,800 to 44,000 in five years and 3,000 villages were covered by banks, which is a three-fold increase.
Under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, financial allocations for the state increased to Rs 10,500 crore from a mere Rs 2,000 crore in 2018, he said.
In the tourism sector which substantially contributes to the state’s revenues, Sangma said the government has set a target of 5,000 homestay units under the PM employment generation programme. Two five-star hotels were inaugurated in Meghalaya for the first time, he said.
“Local landmark tourist places like Living Root Bridge, Kongthong whistling village, cleanest village Mawlynnong, cleanest river Umngot are promoted as new age tourists’ places along with traditional ones like Shillong and Sohra,” Sangma said.
Various festivals, including the kayak festival currently held in Umngot river, drew many tourists to the state, he said.
The CM in his presentation reiterated his resolve to make Meghalaya one of the top 10 states by 2032 when the state will celebrate its diamond jubilee of statehood.
“The aim is to be amongst the top 10 states in terms of per capita GDP and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals besides being a happy state,” Sangma said.
“The MDA 2 government has a target to double the gross state domestic product to Rs 80,000 crore. This will be done by increasing government expenditure and private investments through prioritizing trade, tourism, high-value agriculture and building a knowledge economy,” he said.
The CM flagged the inherent challenges for growth in the state with hilly terrain and limited access to market. He said additionally, the habitations are vastly dispersed, the highest in the region, and the state has very limited own revenue receipts which is only 20% of total receipts.