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| Wakka Village, Longding District. (Source:shotsbytakar) |
New Delhi, March 29:
Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as the largest beneficiary under the Centre’s newly introduced “Pride of Hills” component of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for 2026–27, securing an allocation of ₹4,900 crore out of the total ₹25,000 crore outlay earmarked for hill states.
The initiative has been designed to address the unique financial and developmental challenges faced by hill states, including difficult terrain, low population density, and limited revenue-generating capacity. With Arunachal Pradesh receiving the highest share among all eligible states, the move signals a strong push by the Centre to accelerate development in the frontier state.
The additional funding, which is over and above regular central allocations, is expected to significantly boost capital expenditure in key sectors such as infrastructure and connectivity. Improved road networks, better access to remote regions, and enhanced economic linkages are likely to be among the immediate outcomes if the funds are effectively utilized.
Arunachal Pradesh, which continues to rely heavily on central transfers due to its geographical and fiscal constraints, stands to benefit substantially from this targeted support. The allocation is also expected to complement the state’s ongoing focus on infrastructure-led growth, particularly in areas such as rural connectivity, tourism, and strategic development.
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The “Pride of Hills” scheme reflects a broader policy approach aimed at strengthening hill states with additional financial backing, enabling them to overcome structural challenges and achieve faster, more balanced development. Alongside Arunachal Pradesh’s ₹4,900 crore allocation, Himachal Pradesh has been allotted ₹3,920 crore, Nagaland ₹3,880 crore, Uttarakhand ₹3,460 crore, Tripura ₹3,450 crore, Manipur ₹2,400 crore, Meghalaya ₹2,070 crore, Sikkim ₹820 crore, and Mizoram ₹100 crore, highlighting a wide distribution of funds across hill states under the initiative.
