Shillong, Feb 18: There were two contrasting takes on Meghalaya growth story in the Assembly today, with Umsning MLA Dr Celestine Lyngdoh of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) all praise, while opposition legislator Ardent M Basaiawmoit of the Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) cautioned against uneven development.
The Governor’s address on Monday focused in great detail on the growth of the state economy and in the debate on the address, Dr Lyngdoh hailed the Meghalaya government’s development efforts, citing significant growth in the state’s economy and improvements in various sectors.
He repeated figures from the Governor’s speech, such as Meghalaya being the second fastest growing state in the country, that its economy has doubled in size from Rs 29,508 crore to Rs 59,626 crore between 2018 (when the NPP came to power) and 2025.
Dr Lyngdoh also pointed out that the government’s investments in various sectors have increased substantially, including education, roads, power and urban infrastructure.
“The government is really progressing and bringing changes in the lives of the people. In 2023 (when he was still in opposition as a member of the Congress Party), I challenged the government to provide an artificial turf football field in Nongpoh and within three months the foundation stone was laid,” Lyngdoh said.
This rosy picture was contrasted by Basaiawmoit, who said that the real question is not whether growth exists but who benefits from it.
“If growth benefits a few contractors, consultants and few urban centres while rural areas are stagnating then development is uneven,” he said, adding that until growth is visible in every village, employment reaches every youth and fiscal discipline is ensured the job remains incomplete.
