Shillong, March 30: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for introducing the ‘Pride of Hills’ component under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for 2026–27.

“The initiative brings dedicated support to hilly states, recognising their unique challenges and strengthening ongoing efforts to drive inclusive and sustained development in Meghalaya,” Sangma said in a social media post.

Meghalaya is set to receive ₹2,070 crore under this newly introduced central funding component, designed to accelerate development in India’s hill states that face structural and geographical challenges. The SASCI scheme provides 50-year interest-free loans to states to boost infrastructure and economic growth. For FY 2026–27, it features the ‘Pride of Hills’ component, allocating ₹25,000 crore to nine Himalayan states to address difficult terrain, low population density, and limited revenue-generating capacity factors that often result in weaker fiscal indicators and higher dependence on central transfers.

CM Sangma also applauded Sitharaman for draping herself in Meghalaya’s traditional Eri Silk known as Ryndia, also called the Ahimsa Silk. He noted that the attire represents the beauty of the state’s indigenous textiles and the exceptional craftsmanship of skilled local weavers, bringing national attention to Meghalaya’s rich handloom heritage.