The Meghalaya government has sanctioned Rs 14,515 crore to revive the economy of the State and give a push to the various developmental activities that were brought to a standstill by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Informing this today, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the amount was sanctioned under the ‘Restart Meghalaya Mission’ which aims at reviving back the economic stability in the State by focusing on various sets of programmes in various sectors, such as infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, entrepreneurship, food processing, arts and crafts.
‘Restart Meghalaya Mission’ was based on the recommendations of the Chief Minister’s Task Force on the Economy on short, medium and long term measures for reviving the State’s economy, which has been hit hard due to the pandemic.
During his Independence Day speech on August 15 this year, Sangma had said that the mission comprises a series of programs to support farmers, and entrepreneurs and to build growth promoting basic infrastructure and services.
According to him, an amount of Rs 14,515 crore would be spent over the next three years for the ‘Restart Meghalaya Mission’, out of which, Rs 7,839 crore has been earmarked for 2020-21.
The chief minister had also spelt out six programmes under ‘Restart Meghalaya Mission’ which include agriculture and its allied sectors, promotion of well-being and livelihoods in rural area, providing a one-time grant support of upto Rs 10,000 for any new small business loans of upto Rs 50,000 for small businesses and entrepreneurs under Chief Minister’s Support programme.
He also committed a total investment of Rs 8,753 crore over the next three years in terms of infrastructure and 13 major roads covering a length of about 350 Km will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 850 crores.
Stating that the fifth priority area focuses on tourism, Sangma had said that close to 50,000 people are dependent on tourism for sustenance and livelihood in Meghalaya.
