Four Northeastern states have sought a 25 per cent increase in the devolution share over the 15th Finance Commission period and a special infrastructure fund. A delegation that comprised of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Mizoram CM P Lalduhoma, Tripura Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy and officials of Sikkim government presented the state’s key demands and concerns during a consultative meeting with members of the 16th Finance Commission in New Delhi.
Sangma highlighted that a 20 per cent increase in the devolution share from 14th Finance Commission to 15th Finance Commission saw a 100 per cent increase in capital expenditure of the states. This enhanced fiscal space enabled marked improvements in health indicators, growth in the tourism sector and critical infrastructure development across various sectors.
The region’s current growth trajectory and the imperative to sustain this momentum were also emphasized by Mizoram and Tripura. The Finance Commission’s recommendations on the share of central taxes allocated to States for a five-year period are pivotal for the economic advancement of the States, particularly for the smaller NER States, which face resource constraints.