DELHI: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma or Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to brief him on the State’s development progress and discuss future growth priorities.
The Chief Minister also conveyed the gratitude of the people of Meghalaya for the Prime Minister’s greetings on the occasion of the 54th Meghalaya Statehood Day.
During the meeting, Sangma highlighted Meghalaya’s recent economic performance, noting that the State has recorded a year-on-year Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth of around 12 per cent in FY25, higher than the national average. He informed the Prime Minister that Meghalaya has emerged as one of the fastest-growing states in the country, with sustained real GSDP growth of about 10 per cent over the last three years.
The Chief Minister also drew attention to improvements in health and human development indicators, particularly in maternal and child health. According to the submission, maternal mortality has declined by nearly 59 per cent and infant mortality by 34 per cent since FY20, alongside increased antenatal care coverage and institutional deliveries.
On agriculture and rural livelihoods, Sangma briefed the Prime Minister on the State’s efforts to double farmers’ income through large processing units and PRIME Hubs, which link farmers to processing facilities, markets, and exports. He said these initiatives are helping local produce such as turmeric, ginger, pineapple, and citrus move up the value chain, creating rural employment and higher incomes.
The meeting also covered infrastructure-led growth initiatives, including the development of New Shillong City with an investment of approximately ₹7,000 crore, expected to generate around 50,000 jobs. Tourism expansion through private sector participation and community engagement was another key focus, with Meghalaya now home to six five-star properties compared to none in 2018.
Sangma updated the Prime Minister on preparations for hosting the 39th National Games in 2027, which will be held across Shillong, Tura, and Jowai, with participation expected from over 12,000 athletes. He also highlighted Meghalaya’s submission of the Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscape for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, calling it a milestone in preserving indigenous knowledge and ecological heritage.
Discussions also focused on sustaining the growth momentum of smaller North Eastern Region (NER) states. The Chief Minister sought continued central support through enhanced tax devolution, higher allocations under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), and an increased ceiling for Externally Aided Projects during the Sixteenth Finance Commission period.
As part of the meeting, the Chief Minister submitted documents outlining Meghalaya’s development progress, Vision 2032 for sustained economic growth, and proposals aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat.
