Shillong, July 11: Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday laid base for projects worth over Rs 1500 crore in Meghalaya.
The event was addressed by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, cabinet ministers, senior officials from the Centre and other dignitaries.
The projects are redevelopment of Umiam Lake under ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment’ (SASCI) with a project cost of Rs 99.99 crore and the development of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) Infrastructure at Mawkhanu, also under SASCI, with a project cost of Rs 99.27 crore. She also announced the proposed Mawkhanu Football Stadium under SASCI with an estimated cost of Rs 732 crore and the construction of Working Women’s Hostels in Shillong, Jowai, Byrnihat, and Tura under SASCI with a total project cost of Rs 132 crore. In addition, the construction of an office cum residential complex for the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) at Umsawli, New Shillong, with a project cost of Rs 256.23 crore was launched. The Finance Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), Northeast Regional Campus at Mawkhanu, New Shillong Township under the Prime Minister’s DevINE Scheme, with a project cost of Rs 100.95 crore.
She also inaugurated 75 digital libraries constructed across remote locations of Meghalaya under SASCI, with a project cost of Rs 162 crore. The event also witnessed the distribution of cheques to beneficiaries under flagship welfare schemes, including the PM MUDRA Yojana, PM SVANidhi, NPS Vatsalya, among others. During the day, she also took part in the flag-off ceremony for the export of Meghalaya pineapples to Dubai besides the release of utility vehicles.
Speaking on the occasion, Sitharaman said, “I see is a clear message from the Prime Minister on his focus. Not only through the many visits of the Prime Minister himself and cabinet ministers in the last ten years, but also through personal commitment for the growth and development of this region.”
She also emphasised the importance of institutional development in the Northeast, stating, “I want to highlight the institutions that have been brought to the Northeast. The foundation stone for the redevelopment of Umiam Lake under SASCI is a significant capital investment for the state. It is a vision of the Prime Minister to help states build capital assets.”
The finance minister expressed her appreciation for Meghalaya’s proactive implementation of SASCI scheme. “My appreciation to Meghalaya for fully utilising these opportunities. This scheme, which started in 2021, is funding projects such as the Umiam Lake redevelopment, MICE infrastructure, the proposed Mawkhanu Football Stadium, Working Women’s Hostels in Shillong, and 75 Digital Libraries,” she said.
She also underlined the significance of the new institutions: “The CBIC office-cum-residential complex in New Shillong is being funded by the central government. The IICA Northeast Regional Campus here is the first IICA campus outside Delhi. The attention given to the Northeast is not short-term but long-term”, she said.
