Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma called on union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 9 in New Delhi and sought funding for different projects under Special Central Assistance.

He was accompanied by Meghalaya Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh.

The CM briefed Sitharaman on the progress of works for Water Supply Scheme in Tura, Nongstoin and Greater Shillong.

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He also briefed her regarding the construction of new assembly building, upgradation of health infrastructure and setting up of residential schools.

The Meghalaya government has requested for additional sanction of around Rs 200 crore for the ongoing projects in the state.

Informing on the progress of ongoing construction of the new assembly building in Shillong, CM Conrad Sangma drew the attention of Sitharaman on the need to complete the building by 2022.

“The work is in progress and we are confident that it will be completed as per schedule," Sangma said.

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"The state government has already invested an amount of Rs 100 crore from its own resources and is in urgent need for an additional Rs 150 crore for making the project operational by 2022," Conrad Sangma added.

He also drew the attention of Sitharaman to intervene and issue advisory to all banks to make SHG portfolio a part of their key performance indicators.

"During Covid pandemic, SHGs in Meghalaya have played a major role in ensuring cash flow at the grassroots level and ensured access to finance to the low-income groups," Sangma said.

"Hence, SHGs have a major role to play in terms of taking financial services to the last mile populations," he further stressed.

"Since Meghalaya has a low penetration of bank branches in the rural areas and as such the SHG network can help bridge the gap in providing the basic financial services,” Conrad Sangma added.