Guwahati,  Union Ministers from and Chief Ministers of the northeastern states praised the Union Budget 2022-23, saying that it would open new avenues of economic development and would play a major role in the all-round growth of the region.

Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal said that the Budget is pro-development and inclusive and it would contribute immensely towards growth.

The former Assam Chief Minister, hailed the special announcement made for the region through empowering the North Eastern Council (NEC).

"People of the northeast region are happy for the sustained focus received during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and it has already made significant progress which is only going to continue. The special focus towards the economic growth of the country is expected via ramped up infrastructure development under the Prime Minister Gati Shakti model and the budget would lead to generation of employment opportunities in the country," he said.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Union Budget 2022-23 would boost the post-Covid pandemic economy of the states. "The budget would facilitate the states to recover the economy which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Assam would get Rs 25,000 crore instead of earlier Rs 20,000 crore as share of Central taxes. Other states of the country would also get the similar benefits," he told the media.

He said as the allocation increased by ten times, they were expecting that Assam would get the capital expenditure of Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore instead of earlier Rs 400 crore.

"Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also increased the limitations of loan taken by the state governments time to time," Sarma added.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said that the budget would open new avenues of economic development and would play a major role in the development of the NE region through the new development initiative -- Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North-East (PM-DevINE).

"The PM-DevINE is a scheme in the spirit of PM Gati Shakti to fund social development projects in NE. It will further develop the region and make it the Ashtalakshmi of the country's economy," he told the media terming the budget as pro-farmer and pro-poor budget that would benefit all sectors of economy.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma tweeted: "North East is grateful to PM Narendra Modi and FM Nirmala Sitharaman for announcing the PM's Development Initiative in the Budget-2022 which will fund infra & social development projects in NE, in the spirit of PM Gati Shakti, enabling livelihood opportunities for youth & women."

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh tweeted: "Union Budget will facilitate the ease of living and doing business, 'One Nation, One Registration' will be established.

"PM Gati Shakti Master Plan will give a major boost to the economy and create tremendous job opportunities for the youths of India."

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhoumik, in a tweet, said that the Budget outlines the vision of the PM for the transformation, growth and development of North-East India.