A significant portion of Meghalaya’s expenditure is directed towards:

Social sectors (education, health)
Defense and military spending
Large infrastructure projects
Subsidies to select industries

The correct answer is: a) Social sectors (education, health).

Meghalaya is a state in northeastern India. It is one of the poorest states in India, with a per capita income of ₹109,000 (US$1,400) in 2019. The state government has been making efforts to improve the lives of its people, and a significant portion of its expenditure is directed towards social sectors such as education and health.

In 2019, the state government spent ₹10,000 crore (US$130 million) on education. This includes spending on primary, secondary, and higher education, as well as on scholarships and other schemes to support students. The government also spends a significant amount on health care, with a budget of ₹4,000 crore (US$52 million) in 2019. This includes spending on hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities, as well as on schemes to provide free medical care to the poor.

The government’s focus on social sectors has had a positive impact on the lives of the people of Meghalaya. The state has made significant progress in reducing poverty and improving education and health outcomes. However, there is still much work to be done, and the government will need to continue to invest in these sectors in order to improve the lives of its people.

The other options are incorrect because they do not reflect the priorities of the Meghalaya government. The state government does not spend a significant portion of its expenditure on defense and military spending, large infrastructure projects, or subsidies to select industries.