Shillong: Meghalaya’s government seeks to double the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2028, Governor Phagu Chauhan asserted as the state’s budget session got underway on Friday. Chauhan set the tone for the budget that will be tabled by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday.

According to the Governor, infrastructure, power, water supply, investment promotion, IT, tourism, and agriculture will propel the economy past the USD 10 billion (Rs 83,000 crores) mark within the next 4 years. At present, the Northeast Indian state has an economy of Rs 45,000 crore. The state needs to achieve 11.5 percent annual growth (GDP) to fructify its ambitious target of touching $10 billion, Sangma, who also holds the finance portfolio, said on Saturday. 

It is speculated that the upcoming budget will prioritize sectors of education, employment generation, and infrastructure development.

Chauhan, during his inaugural speech, also underlined the state’s policies to double farmers’ income by prioritizing high-value crops such as turmeric, ginger, oranges, pineapple, herbs, spices and honey. One of Meghalaya’s key exports is the premium turmeric found in the Lakadong hills of the Jaintia Hills. The turmeric which recently secured the Geographical Indication (GI) tag has been exported to countries like the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Perks for those involved in animal husbandry– such as a 50% subsidy on unit costs for piggery, goat rearing, and poultry – are also being introduced to prop up the sector which, in turn, could culminate in more revenue for the state.

At the same time, the state has given impetus to promote renewable energy amid a nationwide push to reduce carbon emissions. "Close to 400 sub-centers and more than 50 primary health centers and many other healthcare facilities are now fully solar which has resulted in deliveries being conducted for the first time at sub-centers", Chauhan revealed.