Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 74/25

FINANCE MINISTER NIRMALA SITHARAMAN VISITS EAST KHASI HILLS

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman spent the day visiting villages in Sohra region beginning with Laitkynsew, where she met and interacted with women from Self Help Groups, Lakhpati Didis, and members of local Farmer Producer Organisations. The event was also attended by Smt. Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Agriculture, Farmer’s welfare, Health, Family welfare Dept., Information, Public Relations Dept., Law Dept, Government of Meghalaya, Shri Balajied Kupar Synrem, MLA Shella Constituency along with senior officials including Chief Secretary Shri D.P. Wahlang IAS, Shri Vijay Kumar IAS Commisioner and Secretary Planning and Finance dept of Meghalaya, Shri Ramkrishna Chitturi IAS, Additional Secretary Finance Dept. and BDOs from Shella and Laitkroh blocks. Local Sirdars, village leaders, members and SHG members from across the area also joined the programme.

The Minister first visited various stalls set up by the SHGs, showcasing locally produced items like organic teas, fruit juices, millets, handwoven clothing, and other handmade products. She took time to interact with the women behind these enterprises, praising their hard work and creativity.

In her speech, Smt. Sitharaman spoke about the progress the region has made, especially in improving roads, schools, and tourism. She appreciated the drop in maternal mortality rates and emphasized the need to keep moving forward. She encouraged the women to be independent earners in their households and highlighted how since 2014 the government has worked to strengthen SHGs by identifying their potential and supporting them in meaningful ways. She said motivation grows when one sees someone from their own community succeed and called for at least five Lakhpati Didis in every village. Referring to the state’s goal of building a 10 billion dollar economy by 2030, she stressed that every village has a role to play. She also spoke about Prime Minister Modi’s special focus on the Northeast, noting how at least one Union Minister visits the region every month to ensure direct engagement and support.

Smt. Ampareen Lyngdoh, speaking at the event, spoke warmly about the role of SHGs in connecting not just women, but entire families and communities. She credited MSRLS for empowering both men and women with opportunities, and encouraged everyone to learn the value of saving and using traditional skills, from agriculture to other professions, to create livelihoods. She reminded the audience that while the government can guide the way, it’s the people themselves who will truly drive progress forward. Smt. Lahun Mary Blah, a member of the Iengrasong SHG under VO Lawei Baphyrnai shared how she began with a small clothes shop and with support from MSRLS grew it into a successful business. Today, she is a proud Lakhpati kong, earning independently and inspiring other women in her community.

After the programme, the Finance Minister visited Siej village, where she trekked to see the living root bridge. There, she spent time with village elders who are helping maintain these unique structures and spoke with community members involved in the Payment for Ecosystem Services programme, a project that rewards people for protecting their environment. Later, she travelled to Sohbar village, where she continued her interactions with local residents. In her speech, she shared the Prime Minister’s belief that border villages should be seen as the first priority. She said that the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme will now include villages on the eastern border, including Sohbar, and promised that all central schemes, from housing to financial inclusion, will be made fully available in these areas. She assured the people that within a 5 km radius, they would have access to a banking facility, ATM, or financial institution, helping villagers grow businesses right where they are.

With over 1600 residents in Sohbar, she encouraged people to take ownership of their growth journey, to build businesses, attract tourists, and show the world what border communities can offer.

Chief Secretary Shri D.P. Wahlang shared that Sohbar has already been identified under the Vibrant Villages Scheme and will see focused development in four key areas, better roads, 5G and TV coverage, on-grid electrification, and tourism facilities. He also announced that the New Development Bank has sanctioned Rs 20.96 crore for Sohbar’s transformation into a high-quality eco-tourism destination.