Workshop discusses Union Budget 2022

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 19, 2022

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Shillong on Saturday held its very own media workshop, Vartalap at the Shillong Club in association with Shillong Press Club. This year’s edition shed light on the Union Budget 2022 that was recently announced by the Ministry of Finance, with an emphasis on Meghalaya. 

Chief Guest of the event, Goods and Services Tax (GST) Commissioner, Shillong C Songate highlighted that the State’s GST collection was higher than the pre-COVID days and that it is in a comfortable position as far as meeting the targets of the GST. During his address at today’s workshop, he talked about a recent direction by the Government of India to open a trade facilitation centre in all the GST Commissionerates in the country, including Meghalaya. “It is expected that these trade centres will iron out all the difficulties faced by the small traders,” stated the GST Commissioner.

Associate Professor, Finance, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong, Dr Neelam Rani’s take on Union Budget 2022 stressed on the potential of the State to progress in the years ahead. Her suggestions included efficient energy storage considering the huge potential of around 3000 MW of hydropower from the existing eight units. Meghalaya can also envisage on the agriculture sector as a huge chunk of population is into farming, she said. Stating that the Union Budget 2022 being futuristic, she said that it would be reflected positively in the long run.  The budget also reflects the slogan of “Sab ka Sath, Sab ka Vikas and Sab ka Viswas” as promulgated by Prime Minister of India, she added. Dr Rani also highlighted aspects of PMGatishakti, MSMe, Education, agriculture, Start-up, digital banking etc.

Appreciating the Union and the State Budget 2022, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, North Eastern Hill University, Dr D War Thangkhiew said that it can act as “a very powerful instrument for bridging the gap of many socio-economic indicators.” She further talked about investments on sustainable development and calls it extremely important. Highlighting the Northeast Gross District Development Index 2021-22, the Professor said, “Only one district, the East Khasi Hills, earned the status of the Performer and has been placed in the 57th rank out of 100 places in the NE. It is very obvious that we need a big push in this aspect.” She asserted that Self Help Groups (SHGs) are a success story in Meghalaya and the government is trying to create similar success stories in the Tourism sector through several programmes and proposed the launching of e- buses and e-buggies.

She however added that the aspect of higher education is yet to be addressed adequately by the government, adding that the state needs institutes that can offer professional and vocational courses.

Vartalap, which was organised with the aim of providing clarity on the impact of the budget on the common man was attended by more than 30 Journalists from the district.

An interactive session involving the Resource persons and the participants followed soon after the experts concluded presenting their thoughts on today’s subject. President, Shillong Press Club Shri David Laitphlang concluded the Vartalap with his concluding remarks and vote of thanks.