Shillong, July 8: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has strongly urged the 16th Finance Commission to recommend at least a 25 per cent increase in the devolution share for smaller North Eastern states of India, sources said.
Sangma was part of a joint delegation of four smaller NE states that visited New Delhi and held deliberations with the Chairman and members of the 16th Finance Commission.
Must read | Kaladan Corridor to Open Trade Route Linking NE India to Southeast Asia
The delegation also included P Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Mizoram, Pranajit Singha Roy, Finance Minister of Tripura, and senior officials from the Sikkim government.
The delegation expressed gratitude to Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the Commission, and other members for giving the smaller NE states an opportunity to highlight their challenges and priorities, the sources also said.
The Finance Commission’s recommendations on the allocation of central taxes to states for the next five years are crucial for the economic progress of smaller NE states, which continue to face resource constraints.
The Meghalaya Chief Minister noted that the 20 per cent increase in devolution from the 14th to the 15th Finance Commissions had led to a 100 per cent rise in capital expenditure across states. This enhanced fiscal space enabled improvements in health indicators, infrastructure, and tourism growth, the sources further said.
Read more Farmers Protest in Ukhrul Over Rs. 50,000 Loan Fraud Involving 1,211 Victims
The importance of sustaining the region’s growth momentum was further underlined by the Chief Minister of Mizoram and the Finance Minister of Tripura.
During the discussions, Sangma strongly advocated for a minimum 25 per cent increase in the devolution share over the 15th Finance Commission period, along with a dedicated infrastructure fund for the smaller NE states. This collective demand received unanimous support from all participating states.
The Chairman and Commission members responded positively, acknowledging both the unique challenges and the economic progress of the region during the current commission cycle.
A Joint Memorandum outlining the shared concerns and aspirations of the states was formally submitted to the Commission.
Read more India’s Economic Ascent: Balancing Growth, Stability, and Global Trust
The event, coordinated by the Finance Department of Meghalaya, concluded on an optimistic note, with all participants hopeful for favourable outcomes that will further boost the development of the smaller NE states, the sources added.
(Newmai News Network)