Editor
The article by Patricia Mukhim, “Is Meghalaya’s progress derailed by misplaced resistance?”(ST March 14, 2025) has concluded that the main cause of resistance to the engines of development such as an open state border and railways is fear. She convincingly made the case that there are really no threats to the identity and culture of Meghalaya. In fact, it was pointed out that the percentage of non-tribals in the state is steadily decreasing.
She rightly mentioned that Meghalaya was given several central educational institutions like IIM, NIFT, IHM, NIT, and NEIGRIHMS because the state has no ILP. In 2018, Mizoram got its first state medical college. Five years later, there are attempts to transfer the medical college to the Central Government. One of the major factors is the shortage of faculty. Meghalaya has plans for two medical colleges. ILP will be a hindrance to recruiting faculty. At least 90% of the faculty will have to come from outside the state. They may be given permits, but constant border checks and the need to obtain permits for visiting relatives and friends will be a major deterrent.
We prevent skilled and semi-skilled workers from entering the state. Many local contractors and other employers are facing shortages of workers, such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers. Some of those that have joined work have been chased away. This is harming the construction and other industries, slowing down the economic development of the state, and thereby harming the future prospects of our own youth. We consider Shillong to be the hub of education of the Northeast. Are entry restrictions going to encourage students to come?
Fear leads to isolationism. When we prevent other Indian citizens from coming in, our own youth become reluctant to go out and work. While there are many youth from Nagaland and Manipur working in retail and hospitality in Bangalore, we hardly see any from Meghalaya. Does this mean that all local youth are getting jobs in Meghalaya? Not at all, unemployment is rampant in our state.
I have been teaching at a University in Shillong for two decades. Earlier I taught at a University in South India for 10 years. I know that our students are no less than university students elsewhere in India. Many of our youth have additional talents in art and music. Many of our students are sent for internships in mainland India. Most of them are offered jobs, but these are rarely accepted. Our psychosis of fear is isolating our youth. Bangalore has become a destination of choice for the best and brightest from all over India. Our Khasi, Pnar and Garo youth must also take these opportunities with confidence and a sense of aspiration.
The health, education, and economic indices in Meghalaya are at the bottom of the nation. Evidently much is wrong with our leadership and with the rest of us. How do we get out of this rut? Our younger generation must shed fear, take courage, and lead the way.
Yours etc.,
Glenn C. Kharkongor,
Via email
Investments sans land bank
Editor,
When we look at the potential of Meghalaya, both in the manufacturing and service sector, there are huge limitations. The government’s set goal of achieving a10 billion dollar economy or to have a GSDP of Rs. 86,000 crore is achievable. But focusing on the number can be dangerous, as that does not reflect the ground realities.
GSDP grows with public consumption, government spending, production of goods and services, and high exports over imports. This goal cannot be achieved by public debt as the debt to GSDP ratio of the state, at 37%, already exceeds the parameters of the Meghalaya Fiscal Responsibility & Budget Management Act, which is 28%. Moreover, the state is in a debt trap or heading towards it, as it is using new loans to repay old loans.
So, now with the land bank facilitation out of the way, we can talk about private investments. Of course, we need private investments. The Government does not have enough resources to keep on borrowing. You cannot oppose both public debt and investment, at the same time, if we want growth. Considering the state’s low revenue at present, we need to increase investment, so that the government can focus more on lowering its liabilities, rather than on expenditure. But the goal should not be a set number of GSDP, but on self sufficiency of the state, i.e. high production and low imports, especially for essential commodities. The goal should also be on increasing the purchasing power of the common people. Focusing on numbers can lead to high inflation and increased inequality. The money that comes with the growth of GSDP should reach the pockets of the common people, FIRST & FOREMOST. And it should match the production of commodities too, so that prices do not rise.
And while inviting investments from outside, we have to make a very calculated move to also make room for development of local manufacturers and producers so that foreign and outside investments do not choke out local manufacturers. It must be done on the principles of the KHADC’s Regulation of Trading actually.
Foreign investment must also come with employment of native people of the state so that the money stays in the state and increases consumption and cash flow within the state. Such investment must also come with sourcing raw materials from within the state, as much as possible, so that it uplifts local producers and the money again stays within the state. These two criteria are non-negotiable.
Such investments must also buy from local vendors or suppliers, so that it further uplifts local businessmen/suppliers/traders. This can be done by carrot or stick.
Lastly, we can look at different kinds of investments. We can have private investors setting up industrial units. We can have public private partnerships so that the controlling interest remains with the people of the state. We can have investments in the form of equity in local businesses or state owned enterprises. We can facilitate low interest loans for local manufacturers or producers. These are all investments.
But we should not focus on the GSDP number. Rather the focus should be on increasing the purchasing power of common people, first and foremost to avoid poverty, and on high production to avoid inflation.
The main vision should be self sufficiency and financial freedom.The single window United Investment Portal is great for all businesses. It is needed to remove hassles, but it should not be used to bypass other departments.
Yours etc.,
Kitdor H. Blah,
Via email