The Meghalaya government is mobilising private investments to promote growth and provide employment to the youth, Governor CH Vijayashankar said in his Republic Day speech yesterday.
He said that as per the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation Act 2024 and the State Industrial Policy, 90 per cent of the non-managerial jobs generated in new industries are reserved for local people.
“New land banks are being created in full compliance with the provisions of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act 1971 and the laws and rules of the three Autonomous District Councils. The state government is committed to promoting growth, without any compromise on the rights of our people,” Vijayashankar said. The issue of land banks has proven to be extremely controversial in the last few weeks even as the state government insists that its policies will not compromise on the ownership of tribal land.
According to the Governor it is possible to protect the culture, heritage and traditions and generate opportunities for our youth.
He said that the IT sector has potential to provide job opportunities for the youth.
Vijayashankar informed that the Shillong Tech Park in New Shillong successfully employed over 1,000 youth and that the second phase will lead to the employment of another 3,000.
He said that the Vice President of India during his maiden visit to the state has also visited the Shillong Tech Park and lauded the efforts of the state government to promote IT & ITeS.
He also said that a Technology Park is being developed in Tura and it aims to employ more than 1,000 people.
According to the Governor, the tourism sector will be a key driver of economic growth and livelihood opportunities for the people of the state.
He said that substantial investments in improving the tourism infrastructure are underway at key tourist locations, such as through the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project and Meghalaya Tourism Homestay Scheme.
Vijayashankar stated that the vision of the government is to make Meghalaya a 10 billion U.S. dollar economy by 2028, by doubling our State’s GDP.
“We are poised towards achieving this goal and strategies are being developed across sectors, and investments are being mobilized,” the Governor said.
He stated that the GDP of the state increased from Rs 23,235 crore in financial year 2015 to Rs 53,057 crore in financial 2024.
