Special initiatives for NE, new routes to neighbouring tions: President

New Delhi, Jan 31: President Prab Mukherjee on Tuesday said the government is taking special initiatives to develop the North East region, including opening up new road and rail routes to neighbouring countries for boosting the economic development of the region.

On the other initiatives for the region, Mukherjee told a joint sitting of parliament on the opening day of the budget session: “Aruchal Pradesh has been brought on the railway map...By the end of the year, all meter-gauge tracks in the Northeastern states will be converted to broad-gauge.” “We are opening up road and rail routes to our neighbouring countries to boost the economic development of the region,” said Mukherjee during what he termed a historic session of parliament as for the first time in India, the Union Budget will be presented on February 1. Mukherjee said that as part of development in the region, railway projects worth Rs 10,000 has been started. He said that government was following a special fincial assistance pattern of 90:10 for the Centrally Sponsored Schemed and 80:20 for the non Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the North East region.

“My government is taking special initiatives to develop the Northeast region. Special attention is being given to provide fincial assistance with the ratio of 90:10 for the central Centrally Sponsored Schemes and 80:20 for the non-core Centrally Sponsored Schemes,” said Mukherjee

Under the Act East policy,the President said that the government was also focussing on reducing the isolation of the eastern region and the Northeast. On the setting up of various new organisations, he said: “Organisations like Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited, Numaligarh Refinery and others are new projects which will create tremendous job opportunities in the region.” (IANS)