Finance Minister Sitharaman said - balance is necessary between ecosystem-development; honored two taxpayers

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday emphasized achieving a balance between development and ecological protection in a dialogue session in Shillong. This balance is extremely crucial, particularly in states like Meghalaya, she added.

The Finance Minister has accepted that the climate crisis has grown to the extent that even the finest meteorological tools cannot forecast the weather pattern. She also stated that extreme climate events have become the norm. The rain that would prevail for many months in the past is now occurring in just one day. This is resulting in sudden floods and incurring massive losses to people and property.

Pointing to the changing dynamics in rural and forest areas, she stressed the need for modern infrastructure. The Union Minister said that we need global access through optical fibre and digital tools for connectivity so that farmers and artisans can market their products. This means that we have to expand in areas that have been green for centuries.

The Finance Minister also clarified that development decisions in sensitive ecological areas should be taken at the local level. She asked that if development is completely denied, will those people who have lived without change for centuries and now aspire for a better life, be satisfied? Sitharaman said that this debate is important not only in India but also globally.

She informed that the next global climate summit will be held in a remote area on the edge of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. This indicates that now this discussion has reached the world's most sensitive ecosystems.

The Finance Minister informed that the Central Government is working on simplifying the tax structure and making financial systems more accessible to ensure transparency and participation. He also said that "region-specific schemes and local issues should be channelised through the concerned ministries and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). This will lead to timely assessment and action. On the occasion, he felicitated two prominent women taxpayers of Meghalaya, Rimiful Shylla and Vanjoplin and appreciated their commendable contribution to the tax system. The Union Finance Minister is on a four-day visit to Meghalaya from Thursday.