Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a stakeholder interaction in Shillong today, where she engaged directly with business leaders, entrepreneurs, industry representatives, and citizens.
The programme was organised by the Government of Meghalaya in collaboration with the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), and Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
The session was attended by CBIC Chairman Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, CBIC Member Mohan Kumar Singh, and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Government of Meghalaya and associated departments.
In a notable recognition, Sitharaman felicitated Rimiful Shylla and Wanjoplin, who are among Meghalaya’s top women taxpayers, for their commendable contribution to the nation’s tax system.
During the interaction, stakeholders shared a range of observations and suggestions. Key issues included the need to ensure a balanced approach to development that upholds environmental sustainability, the importance of fostering research and development and financial assistance for institution involved in R&D, and greater policy attention for the hospitality sector.
Participants also highlighted the need to bring local industries under the Targeted Champion Sector Scheme, extend better access to credit and markets for startups and MSMEs, especially those rooted in the Northeast, and enhance central infrastructure investments to boost regional industrial growth. Concerns over high logistics costs due to the region’s geographical challenges were also raised, with calls for rationalised transport subsidies to improve competitiveness.
Sitharaman welcomed the inputs and reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to inclusive, responsive, and region-specific governance. She underscored the importance of participatory policy-making and stressed that the government is actively working to make tax systems and financial frameworks more accessible and efficient for all stakeholders.
She also encouraged continued engagement between citizens, industry, and policymakers as a means to co-develop effective development strategies.
To facilitate structured follow-up, the Finance Minister advised that such proposals and sectoral concerns be routed through the respective ministries and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) for appropriate evaluation and action. She reiterated the Centre’s dedication to working in close partnership with state governments and local stakeholders to realise a shared vision for a prosperous, sustainable and innovation-driven Northeast.
