Meghalaya’s economy is expected to expand by more than one-tenth in 2024-25, with the GSDP projected to be Rs 59,228 crore, which is 11.6 per cent more than the previous year.
This was stated by Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar in his address to the Assembly on the first day of the Budget Session.
The primary (raw materials), secondary (manufacturing) and tertiary (services) sectors registered growth of 16.6 per cent, 10.7 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
The speech covered a range of “achievements” of the state government over the past year and plans for the future. Most of these have been heard before, some many times, including plans to operationalise the dormant Baljek Airport in Garo Hills. The Governor also announced plans to develop heliports in New Shillong and Tura for helicopter services.
With 2024 being largely free of loadshedding, the state government expects 2025 to be similarly good in terms of power supply. “The state government’s reforms in the distribution sector have reduced Aggregate Technical and Commercial Losses from 32 per cent to 17 per cent. Additionally, significant progress is being made in renewable energy, with solar power being widely used in community health infrastructure and small and medium food processing units,” said Vijayashankar.
The Governor also heralded the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, with 81 per cent of rural households in Meghalaya now having tap water connections. Official figures like these often contradict experience on the ground, with many complaints of non-functioning supply, pipes and taps.
Vijayashankar also mentioned the many externally-aided projects, where 72 per cent of the funding is provided as grants by the central government and the remainder is borne by the state. Four projects worth nearly Rs 400 crore have also been taken up through the PM DeVINE programme.
The government, in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications, is expanding internet connectivity across villages, with 6,346 having mobile coverage and 6,272 having broadband. The IT Policy 2024 aims to boost the sector and create 15,000 jobs in IT and ITeS over the next five years.
