Raphael Warjri

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is currently on a four-day visit to Meghalaya, shared with the media on Friday that the Central government is extending various financial and developmental support to the state through its ongoing schemes.

During the media interaction, she mentioned that 92 villages in Meghalaya along the India-Bangladesh border would be granted the status of “first villages of India.” She explained that this initiative is part of the Central government’s Vibrant Villages Programme, which seeks to provide recognition and promote development in villages located along international borders, particularly for strategic and defense purposes.

Sitharaman also spoke about the government's focus on supporting the agricultural sector. She said that financial assistance, including matching equity grants, would be provided to all 67 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Meghalaya. This support is expected to continue for a period of three years, aiming to strengthen the FPOs and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the state.

These announcements reflect the Centre’s emphasis on inclusive development and enhanced infrastructure in remote and border areas, particularly in the Northeast.