Shillong, Aug 08: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his support on two important matters among others– resolve Assam-Meghalaya boundary dispute and help in making Meghalaya a USD 10 billion economy.
Sangma met the PM alongside Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Thomas Sangma and State Cabinet Ministers, in New Delhi on Tuesday and submitted the memorandum, seeking his intervention on important matters of State.
After the meeting, CM Sangma said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji heard our concerns, and assured to look into it. We thank him for giving us this opportunity.”
One of the important issues taken up with the PM was on Assam – Meghalaya area of differences. CM Sangma sought the support of Prime Minister Modi for the ongoing resolution of the remaining six out of twelve disputed areas between Assam and Meghalaya. He told Prime Minister on the reconstitution of three Regional Committees to assess the current status of the remaining six disputed areas.
The committees tasked with verifying village claims, establishing geographical locations, and preparing asset registers in collaboration with both state governments.
Notably, six areas were successfully resolved in March 2022, with an agreement signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. A joint survey by both states is currently underway to demarcate boundaries in these resolved areas.
The Meghalaya cabinet minister’s delegation also apprised the PM on externally aided projects (EAPs). The Chief Minister apprised Prime Minister that EAPs were very critical for the State. He told Prime Minister than Meghalaya has embarked on an ambitious goal of becoming a USD 10 billion economy within the next five years, and to achieve this target, the State requires to double its economy through investment in physical and social infrastructure, which will drive sustainable growth and employment opportunities.
“The State Government has actively pursued private investments and aimed to foster a robust private sector. Despite efforts, inherent challenges related to land tenure systems, remoteness, and rugged terrain have constrained private investments. Therefore, public investments, including those from Externally Aided Projects (EAPs), are crucial to boost the state’s economy. These projects, which account for around 72% of the project cost as grants from the Government of India to the North-Eastern and Hill states, form a pivotal component of the investment portfolio,” the Chief Minister said.
He also informed that the State Government has successfully posed and received approvals for several projects under this merit-based system. Presently, eight projects worth Rs. 5,855 Crores (loan component Rs. 4,266 Crores) are being implemented, while another ten projects in the preparatory phase hold an estimated project cost of Rs. 5,721 Crores (loan component Rs. 4,610 Crores). The total project cost of ongoing and posed projects stands at approximately Rs. 11,576 Crores, covering sectors such as Roads, Tourism, Power distribution, Agriculture marketing, Skill Development, Healthcare, Water harvesting, and Climate resilience.
Highlighting positive stories of growth and development, the Chief Minister sought for continued support from centre. “Prime Minister ji has assured that all support from Government of India will be extended to the State for the growth and progress of the State,” he added.
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