Shillong, July 12 -- During her visit to the state on Friday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted Meghalaya's full utilisation of its Rs 5,400 crore allocation under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, calling it a model for other states.

"While some states are unable to utilise their shares, Meghalaya has effectively used its entire allocation to build capital assets. I commend the state's efforts," she said at a public programme.

Reaffirming the Centre's commitment to the Northeast, Sitharaman said the government views the region as one to "empower, act, strengthen and transform."

She noted key achievements in the state, including the construction of over 540 km of roads and a five-fold...