Union FM Sitharaman is on a four-day visit to Meghalaya, unveiling major infrastructure and development projects. Her visit highlights Centre’s push for economic growth, women’s empowerment, digital inclusion, and sustainable tourism. Key inaugurations include the Polo Shopping Complex, IICA campus, and engagement with farmers, SHGs, and entrepreneurs.
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Shillong on Thursday for a four-day official visit to Meghalaya, aimed at boosting infrastructure, sustainable development, and inclusive growth in the northeastern region. The visit reflects the Centre’s continued commitment towards Meghalaya’s progress across vital sectors, including digital economy, rural empowerment, women’s welfare, and tourism.
The Finance Minister was received with traditional honours at Shillong and immediately commenced her itinerary with the inauguration of the newly redeveloped Polo Shopping Complex, a key urban infrastructure project in the heart of the capital city. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma joined her at the event, marking a significant step towards urban renewal in the region.
Later, Sitharaman interacted with officials under the Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS) to assess ongoing developmental projects. PMIS, a central mechanism to track government-funded initiatives, allows real-time monitoring and review, enhancing transparency and accountability.
The second day of her visit, Friday, will witness the inauguration of the Northeast Conclave, a strategic forum aimed at aligning regional goals with national policies. The event will also see the laying of the foundation stone for the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) campus at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong. The campus is expected to bolster corporate governance, financial education, and public policy training in the Northeast.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma is scheduled to attend the Conclave as the Guest of Honour, emphasizing state-level support and collaboration in the Centre’s vision for regional growth.
As part of her packed schedule, the Finance Minister will visit Shillong Tech Park at Umsawli, which showcases Meghalaya’s growing presence in the digital and IT space. She will also inaugurate a farmer and entrepreneur exhibition at the Lariti International Centre, aiming to uplift local businesses and showcase innovative rural ventures.
A crucial highlight of her trip includes interactions with stakeholders and beneficiaries of various central schemes. On July 12, Sitharaman will hold discussions with industry leaders at the Courtyard Marriott, Shillong, and later meet Women Self-Help Groups, Lakhpati Didis, and Farmer Producer Organisations at Laitkynsew Village. These interactions are expected to underscore the success of women-led development and community-based enterprises.
On the same day, the Finance Minister will also engage with villagers from Siej Village under the Payment for Ecosystem Services Programme, which rewards local communities for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem resources. The initiative is seen as a step towards incentivizing environmental stewardship at the grassroots.
Her visit will conclude with a public programme at Sohbar Village, listed among the Centre’s 96 Vibrant Villages aimed at transforming remote border communities with robust infrastructure, digital connectivity, and sustainable livelihoods.
On July 13, the final day of her visit, Sitharaman will visit the Ram Krishna Ashram School at Sohra, reaffirming the government’s emphasis on quality education and holistic development.
Officials said Sitharaman’s visit highlights the Union government’s strategic focus on Meghalaya and the broader Northeast, as both a development frontier and a gateway to India’s Act East Policy.
Meanwhile, ahead of her visit, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has strongly advocated for greater financial support to smaller northeastern states. During his meeting with the 16th Finance Commission in New Delhi on July 7, Sangma presented a joint memorandum with leaders from Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim, citing the region’s distinct geographical and economic challenges.
In a post on X, Sangma noted, “North East States, while having their own unique and distinct issues, share common concerns and challenges.” He emphasized the importance of national recognition for the region’s special developmental priorities, and the need for a customized financial framework to address them.
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Sitharaman’s visit, therefore, carries both symbolic and strategic weight, reaffirming the Centre’s vision of inclusive development, women’s leadership, environmental protection, and digital integration in India’s northeastern frontier.
