Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar, concluded a two-day visit to Meghalaya on Friday, during which he reviewed the progress of several key centrally-sponsored schemes and praised the state’s efforts in pushing forward development programs under challenging geographical conditions.
Gurjar, who arrived in Shillong on July 17, took stock of flagship schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), the Jal Jeevan Mission, and the Lakhpati Didis initiative aimed at empowering women through self-help groups. He highlighted that Meghalaya has made commendable strides in implementing these initiatives despite the topographical difficulties posed by its hilly terrain and dense forest areas.
“The difficult landscape and issues around land acquisition in Meghalaya are well-known, but the way the state government and grassroots institutions have come together to ensure last-mile delivery of benefits is admirable,” said Gurjar.
He met with state officials, representatives from cooperative societies, and women beneficiaries during his visit and emphasized the need for sustained collaboration between the Centre, state machinery, and community-level organizations. He noted that the success of schemes like Lakhpati Didis — which aims to enable women to earn a sustainable income through entrepreneurship — is visible in Meghalaya’s remote districts.
The Union Minister also reiterated the Centre’s focus on making India a developed nation under the “Viksit Bharat” vision and encouraged Meghalaya to continue aligning its development goals with this national mission. “The spirit of cooperative federalism must continue to guide us as we work toward inclusive growth,” he said.
Gurjar’s visit is part of the Government of India’s initiative to conduct periodic assessments of flagship programs and enhance engagement with state governments across the Northeast.
