IMPHAL, Feb 1: Chief Ministers from the Northeast have expressed their appreciation for the first full-year budget of Modi 3.0, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The budget has garnered praise for its regional focus, with key provisions aimed at fostering economic growth, infrastructure development, and technological advancement in the Northeast.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking at an event in Morigaon, highlighted the approval of a 12.7 lakh metric ton urea plant in Namrup, a long-standing demand of the people of Assam. “This will not only help achieve self-sufficiency in fertiliser availability but also optimise the utilisation of our natural gas resources,” Sarma said. He also commended the revised income tax slab, which now exempts annual incomes up to ₹12 lakh from taxation, offering substantial relief to middle-class families. “Earlier, those earning ₹7 lakh had to pay income tax. This relief will benefit middle-class families significantly,” Sarma added.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma welcomed the modified UDAN scheme, which aims to enhance regional air connectivity. The initiative will focus on developing helipads and smaller airports in hilly and remote districts of the Northeast, improving accessibility to these areas.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio appreciated the budget’s focus on inclusive growth, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, rural prosperity, regional connectivity, and women entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh praised the budget’s emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), particularly the establishment of three Centres of Excellence in AI for agriculture, health, and sustainable cities. Singh described this initiative as a significant step toward realizing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advancing technological capabilities in the state. “The introduction of these Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence is a major step towards achieving the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Singh said on social media.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay expressed his gratitude for the government’s commitment to the vision of ‘Vikshit Bharat’ (Developed India) and the GYAN (Garib, Youth, Nari, and Annadata) initiative. This initiative focuses on empowering marginalized communities, fostering youth development, and generating employment opportunities. Golay emphasized that the government’s initiatives aim to boost economic growth, improve social welfare, and enhance infrastructure while promoting a people-centric and inclusive future.

With strong endorsements from the Northeast’s political leaders, the Modi 3.0 budget has been widely seen as a step forward for the region’s economic development, regional connectivity, and technological progress, in line with the government’s broader vision for an inclusive and developed India.