EXCLUSIVE
As the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government completes eight years in office and the recently concluded Assembly session passed the state budget that spoke about the growth and vision of the government, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Vincent H. Pala launched a sharp critique of the administration’s performance, alleging that despite tall claims of development, the state continues to grapple with rising unemployment, gaps in healthcare access and a deteriorating education sector.
Reacting to the government’s development claims and budgetary priorities, Pala said the state’s economic indicators reveal a troubling picture, particularly in employment, healthcare and education, and argued that the administration has not been able to address fundamental issues affecting the people of Meghalaya.
“If you see the Niti Aayog report, if you see the employment, unemployment average in India is 3.2 percent, Meghalaya unemployment it is 6.2 percent, Meghalaya is so high. The unemployment in the rural areas is almost 9 percent and unemployment in urban areas is almost 12 percent. It is very high and the state Government has not able to address this,” Pala said.
He also questioned the government’s claim that the state is witnessing strong economic growth, arguing that the growth figures cited by the government are largely driven by capital expenditure funded through loans and central grants rather than by locally driven economic activity.
“The government talks about 9.6 growth, this growth is based on capital expenditure which they have done. But I just tell you an example, the money they have taken loan, money that they got through the grant from the central government, it comes from Delhi to Secretariat and it will go back to Haryana, Assam, you hardly see any contractors from Meghalaya. Secretariat the contractors are not from Meghalaya, for Assembly the contractor is not from Meghalaya, stadium the contractor is not from Meghalaya,” Pala said.
He further alleged that a significant portion of government contracts has been concentrated in the hands of a few beneficiaries rather than being distributed among local entrepreneurs.
“Main roads you will see only one family recently whatever they have taken loans more than 1000 crores, more than 500 crore is given to only one family. So the growth that he claimed is only a growth on paper, that couldn’t translate on the ground, that’s why people are becoming very poor. Those who become rich becomes very rich, selected people that’s why Government sold entire property of Meghalaya,” Pala said.
According to Pala, the government’s development strategy has weakened the state’s long-term economic foundations by failing to create sustainable assets and opportunities for local residents.
“This is a government instead of creating asset, they are finishing the asset, so according to me Meghalaya in the coming days will suffer more and more because the Policy to give employment is not there, the policy to help the local people is not there,” Pala said.
He also criticised the government’s borrowing strategy, arguing that despite large inflows of funds through loans and grants, the economic benefits are not reaching local businesses and workers.
“The government have got lot of money, they say they have taken loans because of the free interest of 50 years. This is because after COVID the state Government has to pump lot of money to the capital expenditure. Maximum suppliers are from Delhi, where the local people will get?” Pala said.
Pointing to social sector indicators, Pala cited concerns over healthcare access in the state, referring to national data which, according to him, shows significant gaps in coverage.
“Growth is on papers but the real growth, the per capita income, the Niti Aayog has already given. See the health sector the report given by the Government only, the Niti Aayog says 43 percent is not covered by health services, though different schemes the government has done. That is very high almost 50 percent of the population, we are at the mercy of the private hospital and rest are covered upto certain levels,” Pala said.
He also expressed concern over what he described as declining standards in the education sector and criticised the reduction in allocations.
“Education very unfortunate, the government has cut down almost Rs 307 crores in Education. They have finished NEHU, today only central university in the state NEHU has collapsed and the government doesn’t bothered. As per the report in Education, Meghalaya is second from the bottom. High drop out rate in Meghalaya,” Pala said.
