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SHILLONG: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday announced that 92 villages in Meghalaya have been included in the second phase of the Centre's Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). Addressing reporters, she stated, "These 92 villages from Meghalaya are becoming the first villages of India," highlighting their strategic importance and developmental potential. The villages, located along the Bangladesh border, have been identified for targeted development to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity in border regions, which are vital for both national security and local growth.
Sitharaman added that she would personally visit some of these border villages during her trip to Meghalaya to interact with the local communities and assess development progress on the ground. She further noted that the Vibrant Villages Programme extends beyond Meghalaya and includes villages along India's international borders with Myanmar, Tibet, China, and Nepal.
Emphasizing the Centre's strong financial support to Meghalaya, the Finance Minister said, "The Finance Ministry oversees the central transfer of taxation. I just want to draw your attention to how much tax money has been devolved to Meghalaya." Comparing two decades, she pointed out that Meghalaya received Rs 7,273 crore in tax devolution from 2004 to 2014. This figure surged to Rs 48,883 crore between 2014 and 2024-a massive 572% increase. Central grants and aid also rose significantly, from Rs 19,700 crore during 2004-2014 to Rs 40,452 crore in the 2014-2024 periods.
Speaking on the post-COVID economic recovery, Sitharaman highlighted the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASKI), a 50-year interest-free loan initiative. She revealed that Rs 5.4 lakh crore has been disbursed to all states under this scheme since 2020, with Meghalaya alone receiving Rs 5,471 crore.
The Finance Minister also noted the Centre's push for digitization under its reforms. Over 90% of land maps across states have been digitized, and all states have adopted a digitised public account system. She added that 22 states have recorded an increase in capital expenditures.
In Meghalaya alone, Sitharaman said, 67 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been established to empower the farming community and improve rural income generation. She dismissed concerns over inflation, reaffirming the government's commitment to fiscal discipline and capital investment. Concluding her address, the minister highlighted the PM Internship Programme as a key initiative focused on youth engagement and economic revitalization.
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