Shillong, Feb 26: Meghalaya has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing states with three consecutive years of nearly 10% real GSDP growth post-COVID, while maintaining borrowings far below the national average, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said on Wednesday during his reply to the Budget discussion in the Assembly.
Citing fiscal data, the Chief Minister said the state recorded a 76.5% increase in economic size between FY21 and FY25, making it the second fastest-growing state in real GSDP growth after Tamil Nadu.
He asserted that Meghalaya’s growth is “not anchored in borrowings,” pointing out that borrowings stood at just 7.8% of total receipts in FY24 — significantly below the national average of 19.4%.
Outlining a capital-focused growth strategy, Sangma said capital expenditure has grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5% since FY14, outpacing revenue expenditure growth of 11.1%.
Total state expenditure has increased steadily, touching ₹30,948 crore in FY27 (Budget Estimates), reflecting what he termed “efficient provisioning and planning.”
Meghalaya also reported one of the highest expenditure efficiencies in the country, spending 99% of its Budget Estimates in 2023–24.
Over the past decade, state resources have grown at a CAGR of 13.1%, while total receipts have increased at 13.7%.
The Chief Minister underlined improved absorption of central funds, noting that allocations under national development schemes such as SASCI rose sharply from Rs 200 crore in 2020–21 to Rs 2,695 crore in FY26, with projections of Rs 4,500 crore in FY27.
Projecting employment as the core outcome of growth, Sangma outlined major investments in tourism, sports, and entrepreneurship. Hosting the 39th National Games in 2027 is expected to generate over 30,000 indirect employment opportunities and involve more than 12,000 participants.
The state’s “Football Capital” vision includes a planned 40,000-seat FIFA Category 1 stadium in New Shillong.
Through CM Elevate, over 2,800 beneficiaries were supported between 2023 and 2025, while 400 entrepreneurs received funding under PRIME.
Private investments worth Rs 2,638 crore have been grounded, generating over 5,500 jobs, with Rs 9,162 crore more in the pipeline.
Sangma also highlighted the state’s overseas employment push, projecting that sending 5,000 nurses abroad over the next six years could generate remittances of around ₹600 crore annually.
Under the Vision 2032 roadmap, Meghalaya aims to double incomes for 3.4 lakh farmers and create 50,000 “millionaire farmers” by 2032.
Organic cultivation is targeted to expand to one lakh hectares, while ginger production is projected to scale up to 1.56 lakh metric tonnes, positioning the state among the top five producers.
In the social sector, the Chief Minister said health infrastructure has expanded 11.57 times in recent years, with 151 new health centres constructed and 544 upgraded.
Under the CM-Safe Motherhood Scheme, infant mortality has reduced from 37.1 to 23.7, while maternal deaths have dropped by 59%.
In education, the pass percentage in SSLC examinations surged to 96% in 2025 compared to 56% in 2024, reflecting what the government described as the impact of Mission Education reforms.
Reaffirming the state’s long-term vision, Sangma said Meghalaya aims to rank among the top 10 states in per capita income and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) performance by 2032.
“We are leveraging every rupee of fiscal space available for growth, ensuring that development translates into employment and prosperity for our people,” he said.
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