By Bijoy A. Sangma
Meghalaya, the ‘Abode of Clouds,’ has emerged as a state with commendable economic growth and developmental initiatives. As the year 2025 begins, it is both timely and appropriate to reflect on the progress made and address the challenges that remain. This is also a moment to renew our commitment to the principles of ‘Think Globally, Act Locally,’ to align global best practices with the state’s unique needs. This article is informed by observations, research, and my experiences from diverse regions across the globe, providing a critical yet constructive perspective to ensure Meghalaya rises as a model of inclusive and sustainable development.
The recent Cabinet Retreat held in Sohra, under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, marked a milestone in the state’s governance. This visionary gathering, involving cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and Deputy Commissioners, aimed to create a roadmap for Meghalaya’s growth through its Vision 2032 initiative. Institutionalizing such retreats as annual or biannual events is a commendable step towards fostering inter-departmental efficiency and collaboration. Several key projects, focusing on urban planning, transportation, public utilities, and sports infrastructure, are slated for completion in 2025, collectively enhancing quality of life and economic prospects for residents.
In an even more notable achievement, Meghalaya has, after 53 years of statehood, established its first state-owned university, showcasing the government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector. While these initiatives are laudable, their true success will be measured by their tangible outcomes and their impact on the lives of citizens.
Economic Growth and Aspirations
Over the past decade, Meghalaya has shown resilience and growth in infrastructure, health, education, and economic development. The 2023-24 budget outlined ambitious goals to double the state’s GSDP to Rs 80,000 crore by 2027-28, achieve near-zero maternal and infant mortality, and generate five lakh employment opportunities. However, critical gaps in implementation, accountability, and equitable resource distribution continue to challenge these aspirations. These gaps must be addressed which calls for a more accountable and collaborative approach from all stakeholders, if Meghalaya is to achieve its full potential.
The state’s economy is projected to grow at an annual rate of 11.4%, with a GSDP of Rs 52,973 crore ($6.6 billion) for 2024-25. Government expenditure has more than doubled from Rs 12,159 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 27,072 crore in 2024-25, reflecting improved governance and increased funding support from external agencies. Yet, Meghalaya’s reliance on central transfers, which amount to Rs 18,168 crore for FY 2024-25, underscores its limited internal revenue generation, with the state’s own tax revenue projected at only Rs 4,041 crore.
To reduce fiscal dependence, Meghalaya must emulate successful models from countries like Germany and Denmark, which have enhanced sub-national fiscal self-reliance through local industries, innovative taxation, and sustainable tourism. By nurturing high-value local sectors such as organic agriculture, renewable energy, and eco-tourism, the state can create robust revenue streams.
Fiscal dependence on the Union Government raises a concern. Enhancing state tax revenue and self-sufficiency through innovative policies, like promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism, is critical.
Infrastructure Development
The government’s allocation of Rs 2,709 crore for roads and buildings in 2024-25 demonstrates its commitment to connectivity and urban transformation. Projects like the Shillong-Dawki-Tamabil highway, New Shillong Administrative City, and Knowledge City at Mawkhanu promise significant economic growth.
However, execution delays and poor quality in certain rural infrastructure projects dilute their impact. Guided by Japan’s principles of Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII), Meghalaya must prioritize durable, climate-resilient infrastructure that meets both current and future needs.
Healthcare
Meghalaya’s healthcare sector has made significant strides, with programs like the MOTHER initiative reducing maternal mortality by 50% and infant mortality by 30% over two years. The government has allocated Rs 1,970 crore for healthcare in FY 2024-25, including Rs 500 crore for upgrading health facilities and Rs 100 crore for expanding health insurance coverage.
My first hand experience at the Mawiong Community Health Centre (CHC) in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya where medicines are provided free of costs to the patient is praiseworthy. I was pleasantly surprised to see the good quality medicines and decent maintenance of the beds and facilities in a CHC.
Despite these advancements, healthcare infrastructure in rural areas remains inadequate, and specialist medical services are often inaccessible to the underserved population. The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has been reduced by 50% over two years, but achieving zero infant and maternal mortality remains an ambitious goal. Bridging the urban-rural divide healthcare delivery remains an urgent need. Localized healthcare hubs with effective delivery mechanism are critical in the health sector
Learning from Cuba’s healthcare model, which emphasizes community-based preventive care and localized healthcare hubs, Meghalaya can ensure transformative healthcare delivery across rural and urban areas.
Education
The progress in education over the past few years has been noteworthy. The state’s allocation of Rs 3,539 crore for FY 2024-25 aims to enhance school infrastructure, teacher training, and digital learning facilities. Initiatives like the MPOWER program for adolescents and the establishment of new polytechnics are encouraging developments that have contributed to increased enrolment rates.
Despite these improvements, dropout rates in higher secondary education, especially in rural areas, remain a concern. Targeted programs to reduce dropouts in underserved areas are essential.
Without undermining the National Education Policy (NEP) 2024, drawing lessons from Finland’s education model, which emphasizes participatory learning and teacher training, Meghalaya can address these disparities and ensure quality education for all.
Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods
Mission-mode programs, such as PRIME Hubs and FOCUS, with an investment of Rs 427 crore for agriculture and horticulture in 2024-25, aim to improve farmers’ incomes and promote organic farming. Initiatives like the Floriculture Mission and Lakadong Turmeric and Ginger Missions are positioning Meghalaya as a leader in niche agricultural markets.
However, farmers continue to face challenges such as inadequate cold storage, limited market linkages, and irrigation deficits. Implementing a hub-and-spoke model for rural markets and integrating agri-tech solutions could address these issues and double farmers’ incomes by 2028 as envisioned.
Tourism Development
Meghalaya’s natural beauty has made tourism a cornerstone of its economy. Projects such as the Shillong Peak Ropeway and cultural tourism circuits aim to enhance visitor experiences.
To ensure long-term sustainability, Meghalaya must adopt Costa Rica’s eco-tourism model, which aligns economic growth with environmental preservation. Responsible tourism practices can protect the state’s biodiversity while generating livelihoods.
Environmental Sustainability
The Rs 4,501 crore allocation for climate action in FY 2024-25 reflects the government’s focus on conservation through programs like Green Meghalaya and MegARISE. These initiatives promote forest conservation, water catchment protection, and integration into global carbon markets.
However, illegal mining and deforestation continue to undermine environmental efforts. Stricter enforcement, combined with community-based forest management, is critical to preserving Meghalaya’s ecological balance.
Costa Rica’s carbon-neutral policies demonstrate how aligning ecological conservation with economic incentives can drive lasting environmental benefits. Costa Rica’s success in achieving carbon neutrality while boosting eco-tourism offers valuable lessons for Meghalaya. By carefully promoting eco-friendly industries and sustainable tourism, Meghalaya can protect its rich biodiversity while generating livelihoods and be the leader in coming years.
From Vision to Reality – The Path Ahead
While initiatives such as the Cabinet Retreat and high-profile discussion in Sohra provide a platform for visionary policy-making, many of these efforts risk being performative and designed to appeal to external audiences unless they yield substantial ground-level transformation. The state’s ambitious goals to become a $10 billion economy by 2028 and a leader in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2032 require a shift from rhetoric to action.
Transforming Meghalaya’s vision into reality demands strengthening accountability through regular audits and public reporting, accelerating quality project implementation to minimize delays, and ensuring inclusivity by prioritizing marginalized communities.
A Framework for Collaborative Governance
Achieving Meghalaya’s developmental aspirations necessitates collaboration among political leaders, bureaucrats, technocrats, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community-based organizations (CBOs).
Political leaders must advocate for inclusive policies and prioritize marginalized communities, and drive advocacy for state-specific needs at national and global forums, while ensuring transparency through annual performance reports and adopting transparent fund utilization mechanisms.
Bureaucrats should drive efficiency in project execution and streamline processes, inter-departmental coordination, using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure success and strengthen grievance redressal systems.
Technocrats can deploy innovative solutions for digital governance, urban planning, and healthcare delivery. They should monitor technological interventions and conduct cost-benefit analyses for public investments.
CSOs should mobilize and engage communities through awareness campaigns, advocate for equitable policies, and monitor policy implementation and service delivery in underserved regions, to ensure equity. As accountability, maintain transparent operations and engage constructively with government and private stakeholders.
CBOs must facilitate grassroots participation in governance, ensuring that local needs are addressed and development is inclusive. The CBOs too are accountable and need to ensure periodic report on activities, ensure equitable fund distribution, and collaborate with local authorities for maximum impact.
Drawing inspiration from successful governance models worldwide, Meghalaya can build a sturdy governance framework that is both efficient and inclusive. Such as Estonia’s digital-first approach, Kerala’s participatory development model and our own North Eastern Region Community Resources Management Project on the sustainable development model empowering rural communities to plan and implement their development projects with full community participation and transparency.
The Way Forward- Rising Above the Clouds
Meghalaya has laid a strong foundation for growth, but its journey forward requires sustained effort, innovation, and collaboration. As the state strives to achieve its Vision 2032 goals, it must focus on translating policies into measurable outcomes. The ‘Abode of Clouds’ has the potential to lead by example, showcasing a model of inclusive, sustainable development that other states can emulate. It is time for Meghalaya to rise above the clouds of complacency and shine as a trailblazer for the nation and the world.
(The author is Former Executive Director [ILC] of the BMS World Mission, United Kingdom, former National Executive Director [India] of Haggai Institute of Advanced Leadership, and Former Asst. Programme Coordinator of North East Region Community Resources Management Project [IFAD-GOI], a Lawyer and currently a PhD Scholar in Management studies.)