Editor,
While CM Conrad K. Sangma’s declaration that Meghalaya is the second fastest-growing economy in India (after Tamil Nadu) is ambitious and attention-grabbing, it remains essentially a self-proclamation and has not yet been fully corroborated by independent data. Below are a few observations and counterpoints, based on available sources, which suggest the picture is more complex.
Sangma’s assertion that Meghalaya has achieved an average growth of around 10% per year over the last three years post-COVID, making it the second fastest-growing economy in India after Tamil Nadu, remains largely unverified and questionable. According to government claims, Meghalaya aims to become a US$10 billion economy by 2028, implying sustained high growth in the coming years. The government’s presentation further indicates that the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is projected at ₹52,973 crore (approximately US$6.6 billion) for 2024–25, with growth in recent years being described as “reassuring” and touching 11.4% in certain scenarios.
However, independent data and other analyses reveal a less flattering picture. According to IBEF, Meghalaya’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in GSDP at current prices from 2015–16 to 2024–25 (Budget Estimates) stands at about 8.47%, which is lower than the 10% claimed by the Chief Minister. Moreover, historical growth rates prior to the post-COVID rebound—such as during 2018–19 and 2019–20—were closer to 5% annually, as per the CM’s own earlier statements. In comparison, Tamil Nadu, which Meghalaya has been juxtaposed against, recorded a revised real GSDP growth rate of 11.19% for 2024–25, making it the highest among Indian states.
Several key questions and caveats arise in evaluating Meghalaya’s claims. It remains unclear whether the 10% growth rate is calculated in real terms (adjusted for inflation) or nominal terms, as nominal figures can be inflated by price increases. The comparison of Meghalaya’s performance with larger and more industrialized states like Tamil Nadu also raises concerns, since growth rankings can vary based on the peer group chosen—small, medium, or large states. Moreover, discrepancies exist across different data sources, including those from the Government of India, the Reserve Bank of India, and third-party assessments, making independent verification essential.
Data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) does not corroborate the CM’s assertion. The MoSPI’s “State-wise Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) Growth Rates (in %) at Constant Prices (Base Year: 2011–12)” does not verify Meghalaya as the second fastest-growing state in recent years. Similarly, the NITI Aayog’s Macro and Fiscal Landscape of Meghalaya report, based on MoSPI data as of March 2024, provides sectoral details but no explicit ranking of Meghalaya’s performance vis-à-vis other states. Complicating matters further, the Meghalaya government often uses figures from the Accountant General (AG), which differ from MoSPI’s revised estimates. For instance, in 2021–22, AG figures placed the GSDP at ₹38,785 crore, whereas MoSPI reported ₹40,222 crore. For 2022–23, the AG’s number was ₹42,697 crore, while MoSPI’s updated figure stood at ₹46,551 crore—indicating significant discrepancies in data sources.
Other states, too, demonstrate strong performances that undermine Meghalaya’s claim. Tamil Nadu recorded a real GSDP growth rate of 9.69% in 2024–25, making it the top-performing state that year, while Andhra Pradesh followed with 8.21%. In fact, Andhra Pradesh has been explicitly recognized in several media reports as the second fastest-growing economy in recent years, casting further doubt on Meghalaya’s purported rank.
In summary, the Chief Minister’s claim is dubious on multiple grounds, a befooling stunt aimed at shaping public perception and political capital rather than reflecting verifiable economic reality. While there is evidence that Meghalaya has been growing well recently—perhaps faster than its own past average—the claim that it is the second fastest-growing economy in the country is not yet definitively substantiated by independent data. Tamil Nadu’s growth figures, among others, strongly suggest there are states performing at least as well or better.
Ranjit Bose
Bivar Road
Via e-mail
