Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has included 92 Meghalaya villages in the second phase of the Centre’s VVP, highlighting their strategic importance and developmental potential for strengthening infrastructure and connectivity in border regions. Sitharaman plans to personally visit border villages in Meghalaya to assess development progress and interact with local communities, highlighting the Vibrant Villages Programme’s scope beyond Meghalaya, including villages along India’s international borders.
The Finance Minister highlighted the Centre’s significant financial support to Meghalaya, highlighting a significant increase in tax devolution from Rs 7,273 crore in 2004 to Rs 48,883 crore between 2014 and 2024, and a significant rise in central grants and aid. Sitharaman highlighted SASKI, a 50-year interest-free loan initiative, disbursing Rs 5.4 lakh crore to all states since 2020, with Meghalaya receiving Rs 5,471 crore. The Finance Minister highlighted the Centre’s digitization efforts, highlighting over 90% land maps digitization across states, adoption of digitized public account systems, and increased capital expenditures in 22 states. Sitharaman announced the establishment of 67 Farmer Producer Organizations in Meghalaya, focusing on rural income generation, fiscal discipline, and capital investment, despite inflation concerns.
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