Sarbanda pins faith on 'acche din'

OUR BUREAU

Shillong, May 27: Speaking on the concluding day of the 65th Plery of NEC at Shillong, Assam Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal said that Assam being the largest state in the Northeast and gateway to all the NE states always remains at the forefront of all regiol initiatives. He said that though remoteness of the NE region is considered as a big hindrance for development, an extensive use of Digital India, the Prime Minister’s pet programme can go a long way in addressing the problem.

Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister who has asked all his council of ministers to visit the Northeast at least once every fortnight, Sonowal said this gesture of Modi shows his commitment to the development of NE region. Sonowal also stressed upon the right mix of human resources with tural resources to bring about optimum level of development of Assam. The CM also expressed his government’s commitment to simultaneous development of Brahmaputra valley, Barak valley and the two hill districts of the State.

Chief Minister Sonowal said that Assam being the largest state in the Northeast having 30 per cent of land area and 68 per cent of total population of the region, supports enhancement of the allocation for NEC and a ratiol distribution of funds among the NE states. He also exhorted that all the NE states should have a collective endeavour to secure additiol funds for the development of their respective states.

Sonowal also suggested that since pressure on land is increasing phenomelly, it is becoming difficult for the NE states to make available government land and hence suggested that NEC should allow incorporating land cost in the DPR for acquiring project land for certain categories of projects.

Sonowal also said that all the NE chief ministers should act in unison for preserving and judicious harnessing of its rich bio-diversity for bolstering the region’s agenda of development. He also requested to concede special treatment for the Northeast to expedite its economic growth.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and his pet programmes like Make in India and Digital India, the Northeast should be in a position to reap the dividends of ‘Acche din’, Sonowal added.

earlier, speaking on the occasion, Assam Governor PB Acharya emphasised on the introduction of Panchayati Raj system in 6th Schedule areas which he believes will strengthen local economy, besides strengthening the democratic edifice in those areas. He also stressed on the need of optimum utilization of mobilising groups like women groups, self help groups and other units and channelize their energy for social transformation even at the grass root level.

The Governor also said that the NE region’s tural resources, bio diversities, unique and diverse demographic profile and the region’s proximity with South East Asian tions call for a concerted and synergistic efforts towards its development, and NEC which has been mandated to bolster its development can play a lead role in this regard.