Shillong (Meghalaya), July 25: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the Summit for Rural Empowerment at the State Convention Centre here today, July 25, 2025. The summit, organized by the Meghalaya Basin Development Society, brought together stakeholders to promote inclusive development in tribal and rural areas under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission.
During the inaugural session, Sangma highlighted the state’s progress since 2018, noting the development of a strong ecosystem for enterprises and support for farmers, youth, and women. He emphasized the importance of institutional networks and setup in unlocking the potential of Meghalaya’s societies.
The summit saw the disbursement of ₹3.90 crore to 130 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras to support tribal enterprises and promote livelihood opportunities. Thirteen leading technical and research institutions signed MoUs to enhance research, skill development, and entrepreneurship for rural communities.
Sangma also mentioned initiatives like CM Assure and CM Farm+, which aim to provide timely support and intervention for farmers. With over 55,000 women-led Self-Help Groups and 22,000 farmer producer groups comprising about 2 lakh farmers, the state is working towards promoting grassroots entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
