In a significant push for infrastructure development, the Central government has approved a substantial financial package of approximately ₹500 crore to provide electricity to villages in Meghalaya that are still living without power. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma confirmed this approval, which came in response to a formal request from the state government.
Powering the Unreached Villages
The state cabinet gave its official nod for this additional household electrification under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) during a meeting held on Wednesday. Chief Minister Sangma explained the necessity of this move, stating that the initial electrification under RDSS was based on the outdated 2011 census. This approach inadvertently excluded numerous newly established villages and households that had emerged since then.
"In 2022, I requested the Govt of India to include these excluded areas," the CM said, highlighting his proactive efforts to bridge the energy gap. This new funding is set to bring light and power to these left-out communities, marking a critical step towards complete rural electrification in the state.
Empowering Local Institutes and Businesses
Beyond the power sector, the cabinet announced a transformative Internal Revenue Generation (IRG) Scheme for state engineering colleges and polytechnics. For years, the government outsourced technical studies and design vetting to external institutions like the IITs, even though local institutes such as the Shillong Engineering College possessed the necessary capability.
The newly approved scheme changes this dynamic. It permits these local institutes to officially undertake such government projects, engaging their faculty and students in the process, thereby generating their own revenue. While collaboration with IITs will continue as needed, this policy empowers Meghalaya's own educational hubs to contribute directly to the state's development and gain valuable practical experience.
In a parallel move to boost local enterprise, the cabinet approved amendments to the Meghalaya Industrial & Investment Promotion Policy (MIIPP), 2024. A key change involves revising the definition of a micro-enterprise. The investment ceiling has been lowered from ₹50 lakh to ₹10 lakh, a strategic decision aimed at bringing a larger number of local entrepreneurs into the fold of government support and benefits.
Clearing the Runway for Growth
Another major infrastructure project that received the cabinet's green signal is the expansion of the Shillong airport. The approval covers a proposal to purchase land, which will be used in an exchange for defence land, a crucial step for the airport's enlargement.
Chief Minister Sangma emphasized that this expansion is essential to allow the airport to handle larger aircraft, potentially improving connectivity and boosting tourism and trade. He confirmed that the tender process is already in motion. To ensure the process is smooth and inclusive, the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of transport has been assigned to lead consultations with the local community and the concerned headman regarding both the land exchange and acquisition.
These series of approvals, spanning energy, education, local business, and aviation, signal a comprehensive approach to development in Meghalaya, addressing both immediate needs and long-term growth prospects.
