Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes that India cannot develop without the development of the Northeast region: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy
Bhupen Goswami
Guwahati: Union Minister for North Eastern Region (DoNER) Tourism and Culture Departments G Kishan Reddy called for making full use of the union budget assistance to the states of the region at the 70th plenary meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Guwahati. He stressed on the need for more coordinated and expeditious work on expansion of infrastructure and connectivity facilities in the region. “It is the firm belief of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji that India cannot develop without the development of north eastern region.
The Union Minister said that a Global Investor Summit for NER should be held soon and all state governments should initiate measures to develop an investor friendly ecosystem. Reddy said the North Eastern Region needs to be ready to take full advantage of the development efforts in this ‘Amrit Period’ of the country’s independence and awaken all possibilities of development in the region. This requires all stakeholders, central/state agencies, the private sector to work jointly and focus on further enhancing infrastructure and connectivity in the region, he said. Reddy said full and targeted utilisation of 10 per cent Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) for NER states is the key to rapid growth.
There is also a need to carry out regular analysis of its use, he said. Reorientation of policies, overcoming data constraints and striking coordination with central ministries should be done on the basis of routine analysis. Reddy said development of tourism infrastructure, skilling and capacity building are the main priorities for the development of tourism in the North Eastern Region.
The goals should be achieved quickly by encouraging private investment in this work. He has called upon the council officials to plan the Global Investors Summit in the sector in the coming months and develop a concrete action plan. Reddo said the central government has been working tirelessly to establish peace and stability in the northeastern region, enhance connectivity in the region and has also achieved considerable success.
