The spotlight remained firmly on the Centre’s fiscal roadmap as senior BJP leaders addressed the media in Meghalaya’s capital, describing the Union Budget 2026 as “transformational” and growth-driven for the North-East. Devesh Kumar, MLC from Bihar and Convenor of the Budget Publicity Campaign for the North-East, along with Shazia Ilmi, National Spokesperson of the BJP, held a press conference at 2 pm at the BJP State Office on Bivar Road in Shillong. During the briefing, the leaders highlighted key features of the Union Budget 2026, including a strong push for infrastructure expansion in the North-East and enhanced capital expenditure on roads, railways and digital connectivity.
They emphasised fresh incentives for start-ups and MSMEs, stating that the measures would encourage entrepreneurship and boost regional economic activity. Special focus was placed on youth-centric initiatives, skill development programmes and employment generation schemes aimed at empowering the region’s growing workforce. The leaders also underscored expanded allocations for agricultural modernisation, women-led self-help groups and green energy transitions, asserting that these provisions would directly benefit rural and semi-urban communities in Meghalaya and across the North-East.
In addition, increased funding for tourism circuits, border area development and improved healthcare infrastructure were projected as major gains for the region. Framing the Budget as a blueprint for inclusive growth, the BJP leaders said it reflected the Centre’s commitment to building a “Viksit Bharat” while ensuring that the North-East remained a priority in the nation’s development agenda.