Stakeholders have brought to the notice of Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of the high logistics costs due to the geographical challenges in the Northeast.
Business leaders, entrepreneurs, industry representatives, and citizens who attended an interaction with Sitharaman called for rationalised transport subsidies to improve competitiveness in the region.
The key issues taken up at the stakeholders consultation included the need to ensure a balanced approach to development that upholds environmental sustainability, importance of fostering research and development and financial assistance for institutions 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.
Sitharaman reaffirmed the centre’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.
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.
