Overview

• A delegation led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma formally requested at least a 25% increase in central tax devolution and a dedicated infrastructure fund for smaller Northeast states.
• Commission Chairman Dr Arvind Panagariya and members welcomed the memorandum, acknowledging the region’s difficult terrain, infrastructure gaps and limited revenue-generation capacity.
• Panel members assured the submissions from Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim and Meghalaya will be carefully reviewed as they prepare their final report.
• State leaders highlighted that a 20% rise in devolution under the 15th commission had doubled capital spending, driving gains in health, tourism and infrastructure.
• Delegates also urged greater autonomy and more flexible central schemes to allow tailored investment in roads, healthcare, education and tourism.