Himanta Biswa Sarma and Conrad K Sangma meet Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi, Meghalaya seeks additional Rs 10,000 crore under EAP window
New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi, seeking a fresh push for Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) to accelerate development in the Northeast.
Sarma said the meeting focused on increasing capital expenditure in the region and creating new investment channels for physical and social infrastructure through EAPs.
“We made a strong case to bring a new impetus to the pace of Externally Aided Projects in both of our states,” Sarma said in a post on X, adding that Sitharaman responded positively and assured the chief ministers of renewed Centre support.
Sangma said discussions also covered EAP-related matters. A senior Meghalaya Finance Department official said the chief minister sought an additional allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for the state under the EAP window.
Meghalaya’s EAP allocation has remained at Rs 5,000 crore since the previous Finance Commission. Sangma had earlier sought to raise the ceiling to Rs 15,000 crore, with an initial demand to double it to Rs 10,000 crore.
Sangma has also said Meghalaya has performed well in implementing EAPs, with 90 per cent of loans secured under the mechanism serviced by the Centre.
EAPs enable states to access external assistance for development projects, with the Centre facilitating the funding arrangements. The latest meeting comes as Assam and Meghalaya seek greater investment and infrastructure spending to support economic growth in the Northeast.
Also Read: Raijor Dal Announces First Candidates for Silchar Municipal Polls
