Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart, Conrad Sangma, on Wednesday urged Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to accelerate externally aided projects (EAPs) in the two northeastern states.The chief ministers raised the issue during a meeting with Sitharaman at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi. The discussions focused on boosting capital expenditure in the Northeast and creating new investment avenues for physical and social infrastructure through EAPs.In a post on X after the meeting, Sarma said, “With an objective to increase capital expenditure into India’s North East, I along with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri @SangmaConrad Ji had a very good meeting with the Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt @nsitharaman Ji.”“We made a strong case to bring a new impetus to the pace of Externally Aided Projects in both of our states, which will open new investment channels for physical and social infrastructure,” he said.Sarma added that Sitharaman had responded positively to the proposals and assured the chief ministers of a renewed push by the Centre to advance the development agenda in the region.Sangma said in a social media post, “Met the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, Smti @nsitharaman ji along with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. @himantabiswa ji to discuss matters relating to Externally Aided Projects. Thank the Union Finance Minister for always supporting the aspirations of Meghalaya and the NE Region.”The meeting came as Assam and Meghalaya stepped up efforts to fast-track infrastructure development and attract investment to drive economic growth.Assam Bhawan resident commissioner Kavitha Padmanabhan and senior officials from the Union finance ministry attended the meeting.
