SHILLONG, Aug 16: The state government has launched a flagship programme called ‘Chief Minister’s ELEVATE’ that is intended to support over 20,000 businesses in the next five years.
Delivering his Independence Day speech on Tuesday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the programme will provide a single window support to the entrepreneurs.
The government will provide financial support to the tune of 35-75% to individual entrepreneurs, collectives, village organisations and traditional institutions to take up business ventures.
“The government will provide the subsidy and complete handholding support to businesses in collaboration with the banks,” he said.
In addition, the government will partner with communities for the preservation of over two lakh hectares of forest cover in the next five years.
Stating that Meghalaya is blessed with 76% forest cover and more than 50,000 natural springs, Sangma said the perils of climate change is a threat to the delicate equilibrium of the ecosystems and could have serious impact on farming patterns and the lives of agrarian communities.
Under the Payment for Ecosystem Services programme, called Green Meghalaya, communities are now being paid an annual grant of up to Rs 15,000 per hectare for conserving the forest cover.
