Shillong (Meghalaya), Feb 23: In a landmark move, Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma presented a ₹10,211 crore budget for 2026-27, focusing on accelerated growth, infrastructure development, and social transformation. The state aims to triple its economy by 2032, with key initiatives in healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism, and urban development.
The budget highlights include a seven-fold increase in capital expenditure, ₹4,500 crore from SASCI, and ₹2,472 crore for healthcare, covering 6.6 lakh families under Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme. Education gets ₹3,347 crore, with Captain Williamson Sangma University launching in 2025. Agriculture and tourism also see significant investments, with ₹664 crore and ₹376 crore allocated, respectively.
The government plans to develop New Shillong City as a regional growth engine, with ₹1,540 crore urban allocation. Major infrastructure projects include Police Reserve, Central Jail, and airport expansions. Sustainable development initiatives include affordable housing, rooftop rainwater harvesting, and Active Ageing Centres.
With a fiscal deficit of ₹2,672 crore (3.5% of GSDP), the budget prioritizes inclusive growth, climate action, and gender empowerment, allocating ₹6,849 crore and ₹5,572 crore, respectively.
