Shillong, 11 July 2025: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, currently on a three-day visit to Meghalaya, addressed a public function in Laitumkhrah on Thursday, where she commended the Meghalaya Government, led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, for its remarkable efforts in empowering women-led Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).

In her address, Sitharaman underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s enduring commitment to the development of the Northeast. “This year marks the 12th year of continuous engagement with the region by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues,” she said, noting that this consistent presence demonstrates a commitment “not just through words, but through visible action.”

The Finance Minister highlighted the transformative impact of central welfare schemes such as the PM Mudra Yojana, PM SVANidhi, and PM Vishwakarma. These schemes, she noted, have empowered street vendors, small entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals who previously lacked access to formal credit.

“PM Modi declared that the government itself would be the guarantor for small entrepreneurs,” Sitharaman recalled. “Today, banks are lending even to vegetable vendors and micro-enterprise owners.”

She stressed that these benefits are not symbolic, but are reaching people at the grassroots level — including those in remote corners of the Northeast.

Sitharaman also praised the Meghalaya Government’s efficient implementation of these schemes and its role in establishing critical institutions in the state. In a major announcement, she declared the laying of the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Umiam Lake under the Special Assistance for Capital Investment scheme of the Government of India.

“This scheme offers interest-free loans to states for 50 years. The value of such support, especially over the long term, is immeasurable,” she said, adding that it reflects the Centre’s unwavering commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

The visit and announcements signal a continued focus on infrastructure, financial inclusion, and women’s empowerment in Meghalaya, further reinforcing the Centre’s vision of holistic development for the Northeast.