JENGJAL, Oct 22: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday handed over sanction orders and cheques to 628 entrepreneurs from across the state under nine CM-ELEVATE schemes, as the government seeks to expand livelihood opportunities alongside investments in infrastructure.
Addressing the CM-ELEVATE entrepreneurship programme at Jengjal in West Garo Hills, Sangma said the government was pursuing a two-pronged approach to development — investing in major infrastructure while supporting people to build and expand their businesses.
“Without big investment, Government will not be able to push growth and development,” he said, citing road connectivity and investments in health, education and administrative infrastructure as priorities of the NPP-led government over the past eight years.
He said the government was also working to improve livelihoods through targeted programmes for farmers, entrepreneurs, artists and other sections of society.
Schemes such as FOCUS Plus, PRIME and CM Farm Plus had supported farmers, while processing facilities and market linkages were being developed to add value to agricultural produce, he said.
Sangma also cited support extended to more than 8,000 artists and groups through the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (CM-MGMP), with nearly Rs. 65 crore disbursed.
The government had also sent entrepreneurs to countries such as Japan and France to learn about marketing and branding, he said, citing North Garo Hills entrepreneur Lakme Marak as an example.
More than 4,500 entrepreneurs approved
The latest assistance was distributed under nine schemes covering agriculture response vehicles, tourism vehicles, piggery, dairy, goat farming, poultry, business ventures, SEED and the Meghalaya Homestay Mission.
Across the CM-ELEVATE programme, the government has received more than 30,000 applications. Over 4,500 entrepreneurs have been approved across all 12 districts, with Rs. 178.79 crore sanctioned and Rs. 101.31 crore disbursed so far.
Among the beneficiaries at Jengjal, 31 entrepreneurs received support under the Any Business Venture scheme for projects worth Rs. 8.38 crore, with subsidies totalling Rs. 4.19 crore.
The PRIME Agriculture Response Vehicle scheme saw 12 vehicles handed over in Garo Hills, with Rs. 66 lakh in subsidy. The scheme has now reached 204 beneficiaries.
The SEED scheme, which supports young people setting up or expanding small businesses, accounted for the largest group of beneficiaries at the programme. A total of 329 entrepreneurs from Garo Hills received Rs. 1.63 crore in subsidies.
The scheme provides assistance for small ventures, including retail shops, Common Service Centres and stationery businesses, with projects eligible for up to Rs. 1 lakh and a 50 per cent upfront subsidy.
Since its launch in 2025, SEED has supported 1,630 beneficiaries, with Rs. 9.90 crore sanctioned.
Homestays and rural infrastructure
Under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission, 33 sanction orders were handed over in Garo Hills for projects worth Rs. 3.30 crore, including Rs. 2.31 crore in subsidy.
Launched in September 2025, the mission aims to support 3,000 homestays and generate 15,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2028.
The government said 206 applications had been received from across the state, including 23 from West Garo Hills. The earlier Meghalaya Tourism Homestay Scheme has supported 909 homestays, of which 497 are operational, including 75 in West Garo Hills.
Sangma also remotely launched 14 Common Facility Centres and 12 warehouses constructed under CM-ELEVATE, aimed at strengthening facilities for entrepreneurs and producers.
At the programme, he flagged off 171 waste collection vehicles for Village Water and Sanitation Committees across the five Garo Hills districts. The fleet comprises 111 electric and 60 petrol vehicles.
West Garo Hills received 84 vehicles, while North Garo Hills received 27. East, South and South West Garo Hills received 20 each.
Sangma said the hilly terrain and limited facilities in Meghalaya had necessitated the use of petrol vehicles alongside electric ones. With the latest distribution, Garo Hills has received 561 of the 632 vehicles allotted to the region, with the remaining 71 expected during the current financial year.
The programme was attended by MLAs Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, Ian Botham K. Sangma, Sanjay Sangma, Albinstone Marak, Rupert Momin, Pongseng Marak and Jimmy Sangma, along with entrepreneurs, self-help groups and district officials.
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