Shillong, Jul 11 (PTI) Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inaugurated 72 digital libraries and laid foundation stones for multiple key infrastructure and development projects worth over Rs 1,500 crore in Meghalaya.

Accompanied by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Sitharaman also launched the IICA North East Conclave 2025 at IIM Shillong and laid the foundation stone for the IICA Northeast Regional Campus.

The Union Finance minister also laid the foundation for the redevelopment of Umiam Lake at a cost of Rs 99.99 crore. It will be funded under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. The project aims to boost tourism and conserve the lake's ecosystem.

Sitharaman also inaugurated the groundwork for the Mawkhanu Football Stadium at a cost of Rs 732 crore for a 40,000-seating capacity world-class football stadium which will enhance local sports infrastructure.

She also launched the development of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) infrastructure at Mawkhanu at a cost of Rs 99.99 crore, also under the SASCI scheme, to support business tourism in the region.

In addition, foundation stones were laid for Working Women's Hostels in Shillong, Jowai, Byrnihat, and Tura (Rs 132 crore) to provide safe and affordable accommodation for women professionals and students.

Another key project unveiled was the CBIC Integrated Complex at Umsawli, intended to streamline operations of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in the state.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the Digital Libraries initiative will "significantly enhance access to knowledge, especially in rural and remote areas, and empower youth through digital learning resources." The 72 Digital Libraries, spread across all 12 districts of Meghalaya, are designed to provide free access to e-books, online courses, research materials, government services, and digital skill-building tools.

These libraries are built at a cost of over Rs 100 crore and will operate as community knowledge hubs, equipped with internet connectivity, computer terminals, and trained facilitators to assist users.

The initiative is aimed particularly at helping students, job seekers, and lifelong learners.

Sitharaman is on a four-day visit to Meghalaya from Thursday. PTI JOP RG

SASCI scheme funding supports regional infrastructure and digital library projects, boosting tourism, services, and administrative capacity. Funding for specified regional projects will be provided under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, covering redevelopment of a lake for ecosystem conservation and tourism, MICE infrastructure for business tourism, a major stadium, and women's hostels. A 72-site Digital Libraries initiative will offer free e-resources and digital skills support as community knowledge hubs. An administrative tax administration complex is proposed to streamline indirect tax and customs operations, reflecting coordinated central capital investment and administrative capacity building.