SHILLONG, Feb 23: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, replying to the general discussion on the Governor’s Address during the ongoing budget session, said the Meghalaya government’s “mission-driven” approach has delivered sustained economic gains and targeted grassroots development. He told the House that the state’s real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth touched 9.66%, placing Meghalaya second after Tamil Nadu’s 11.19% for 2024–25, and attributed the rise to focused policy interventions and improved implementation. He clarified that these figures refer to “real GSDP,” adjusted for inflation, to reflect actual expansion rather than nominal increases.
Sangma said the state economy has expanded substantially and the government is working toward a long-term goal of crossing Rs 85,000 crore through investments in infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and enterprise development. He highlighted a steady rise in per capita income-from Rs 88,954 in 2018–19 to over Rs 1.57 lakh in 2024–25-while noting population growth affects income distribution but the trend indicates broader economic activity.
Addressing unemployment concerns raised by legislators, Sangma said employment generation remains a top priority. He reported that roughly 3.66 lakh employment and livelihood opportunities were created between 2019 and 2025 under mission-mode initiatives across agriculture, tourism, rural enterprise, food processing and transport. He pointed to programmes promoting organic farming, spice cultivation, horticulture, and farmer collectives as drivers of improved rural incomes, and said entrepreneurship schemes have helped youth access finance and skills to start small businesses.
Agriculture, Sangma said, remains central to the state’s strategy. Thousands of farmers have benefited from seed distribution, irrigation support, market linkages and mission-based projects in turmeric, ginger and the Lakadong turmeric value chain, alongside integrated farming clusters. The government is strengthening farmer-producer organisations to improve aggregation, processing and market access.
On social welfare, the chief minister said nearly eight lakh citizens have benefited from healthcare, financial inclusion, livelihood assistance and social protection schemes, with improved direct benefit transfers for transparency. He also noted Meghalaya offers one of the highest minimum wages for unskilled workers in the country as part of labour welfare measures.
Responding to infrastructure concerns, Sangma outlined increased investments in roads, bridges, rural connectivity, urban projects, digital infrastructure, power and drinking water to attract investment and boost tourism. He described tourism as a fast-growing sector, with a focus on eco-tourism, homestays, adventure and community-based models to deliver local benefits, and said improved connectivity and hospitality support are expected to raise tourist inflow.
The government has increased allocations for smaller local works to engage community contractors and generate employment, and promoted youth programmes for startups, skills and innovation. Sangma concluded by stressing the importance of safeguarding indigenous culture, traditional knowledge and heritage, and by assuring openness to suggestions while promising stronger systems for transparent, balanced and inclusive delivery of development across regions.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/02/24/mlaya-second-fastest-growing-state-after-tn-cm-tells-house/
Category: MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2026-02-24 04:48:00
