The Meghalaya government plans to come up with policies to support businesses and entrepreneurs affected by the lockdown, while it is looking to the Centre to bail it out from the current financial crunch.

The Meghalaya Economic Survey, 2020, has been launched for businesses, entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals to gather data on the disruption caused across the state owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

The information will help the government come up with policies, which will support businesses and entrepreneurs. However, the government has not spelt out whether any financial package would be given to the businesses and entrepreneurs immensely affected by the lockdown.

However, the economic survey will not cover farmers, full-time students, daily or weekly-wage earners and salaried employees.

The businesses and entrepreneurs can register for the survey at http://meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid or at the nearest community service centre till May 23.

At the video conference held with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, chief minister Conrad K. Sangma said economic planning and support to states should be accorded priority by the Centre. He also said each state should have its own economic plan keeping in mind its respective concerns.

He said all states were facing financial issues arising out of the lockdown, and that the Centre should intervene.

Apprising the Prime Minister of Meghalaya’s plan of action, Conrad said his government has set up an economic task force to look into boosting the state’s economy during the lockdown. He further said all states must be allowed to initiate their own plans so that strategies could be more effective.

“It is important to make economic zones regional for the benefit of all states and we seek the Prime Minister’s support towards this end,” Conrad added.