Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that Assam and other Northeastern states will determine their future development priorities after the 16th Finance Commission announces fund allocations for the next five-year period. Speaking during a conference on Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) in Shillong, Sarma noted that discussions with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman focused on development funding and project planning.
According to Sarma, the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission will determine the financial resources available to each state from 2026 to 2031. Once allocations are announced, states will identify and implement priority projects based on their developmental needs.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the importance of externally aided projects in accelerating growth across the Northeast. He highlighted the contributions of international agencies such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency in supporting infrastructure, connectivity and social development initiatives. In Assam alone, projects worth approximately ₹53,000 crore are currently underway through such partnerships.
Sarma urged the Centre to allow Northeastern states greater access to externally aided funds, citing the region’s strong record of effective and transparent project implementation. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described the Northeast as a key driver of India’s future growth and reiterated its importance in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.
She identified priority areas including infrastructure, connectivity, private investment, women-led development, institutional capacity building and development finance as critical to the region’s continued progress.
