Sitharaman Announces ₹21,000 Crore Investment in Northeast Education Sector

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Centre has invested ₹21,000 crore in the Northeast’s education sector over the past 11 years. She laid the foundation stone for Assam’s first technical and vocational university — Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University — at Gohpur, to be built for ₹415 crore.

Sitharaman highlighted major achievements, including 850 new schools, 15 medical colleges in Assam, the first AIIMS in the region, 200 skill institutes, and the upcoming second IIM. Connectivity has also improved with 10 new greenfield airports and Manipur and Meghalaya joining India’s railway map.

The new university will focus on advanced technologies like AI, cybersecurity, and smart city systems, with facilities for over 2,000 students.