SHILLONG: The Centre has pledged to extend support to the northeastern states, which depend largely on deficit grant funding, to help reverse the region’s financial condition.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, during a meeting with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and his Cabinet colleagues at his residence in New Delhi on Saturday, conceded that these states have inadequate resources and “if asked to live on its own resources it will take one day for the region to break, so it is our responsibility to support and give a special attention to the region”.
Jaitley was discussing the financial health of Meghalaya. He hoped that Assam, which is the strongest among the northeastern states, would soon shed its deficit status.
The northeastern states, which have high non-plan expenditure and low revenues, have been facing difficulty following the 14th Finance Commission that curtailed development funds.
Jaitley gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured all support and cooperation to increase revenue generation in the state. He also asked the ministers to come up with appropriate strategies to promote tourism in Meghalaya.
Another focus should be on making Meghalaya an educational hub.
Sangma discussed about setting up an IT and food park in Meghalaya, apart from promoting indigenous herbal medicines. Here too, Jaitley assured cooperation with Meghalaya to enhance revenue generation. He also suggested that the government should collaborate with private investors to boost trade, business and economy.
Brand Meghalaya
The upcoming National Games 2022 was also elaborately discussed during the meeting, which lasted for about 30 minutes.
During the meeting, the delegation mooted a number of initiatives, including marketing and branding Meghalaya as a tourist destination and package Christmas and New Year for domestic and foreign tourists.
“The need for generating national curiosity for Meghalaya has to be taken up, so that people can visit Meghalaya,” Jaitley suggested.
The issue of air connectivity in Meghalaya was also discussed during the meeting.
“At present we have a Pawan Hans helicopter. But we are going to open three helipads in various parts of the state. Railway tracks are also on the list but… NGOs and civil societies are posing some challenges but we are trying to get them onboard,” said the chief minister.
“Once you have railways, highways and an airport, you will actually attract tourists from all over the areas. You have the capacity to convert the region into a goldmine. So in your tenure this is the principle focus and you use your resources for your purpose,” the Union Minister told the delegation.
The delegation had met Prime Minister on Saturday. Modi too had assured the team that the Centre would help cash-strapped Megha-laya tide over the financial crisis. Sangma had asked for liberal central assistance for various infrastructure uplift before the 2022 Games.
