By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 22: Union Minister of States for Textile and External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Saturday assured that the gap between the centre and the state in the implementation of centrally funded projects will be bridged.
“We appreciate the hard work of every government irrespective of party affinity, ideology, be it Meghalaya or Assam,” he said when asked if the implementation by the state government is to the satisfaction of the centre.
He further said, “How programmes are implemented is evaluated by bonafide agencies evaluating that further grants are approved. There may be some loopholes and the people of the state will judge. As a central government, Meghalaya is a part of our growth engine”
Pointed out that State Vice President Bernard N Marak has been flagging the issue, State BJP president Rikman Momin said, “We will talk with our MDA partner so that nothing is left out”.
“We are marching forward for Vikshit Bharat and so we have immense confidence with alliance partners and stakeholders if any gap is there we are sure we can resolve it,” Margherita added.
Meanwhile, Margherita emphasised Meghalaya’s growth prospects in the recently announced Union Budget 2025-25.
He noted the increase in grants and government schemes aimed at promoting prosperity, including support for MSMEs in the region.
Margherita mentioned the ongoing infrastructure projects such as roads, tourism hubs, and building projects being funded by the NDA government.
The budget’s provisions are aimed at ensuring all regions, including the northeast, benefit from national growth.
He also pointed out that Meghalaya’s urban poor would gain from the new budget initiatives. The state’s path to becoming a “Viksit Meghalaya” is supported by these developments.
“Right from connectivity, women empowerment, health to infrastructure sericulture our ministry has especially considered many projects for the development of the silk industry in the NE including Meghalaya,” he said.
He also compared the budget with the earlier UPA regime and highlighted how this government has meticulously allocated the budget to ensure development reaches till the last mile.
He assured all support from the Centre to ensure that Meghalaya does not lag in terms of development.