NEC Diversifying Activities in Education & Health of the People in the Region: Dr Jitendra Singh

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:

Northeastern Council's Education & Health Initiatives for The People of Assam & Northeast: Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) Dr Jitendra Singh has said the North Eastern Council (NEC) is diversifying its activities to bring about qualitative changes in the lives of the people in the region.

Speaking at the function in Cotton University after laying the foundation stone for a modern boys' hostel in the varsity on Tuesday evening, Dr Singh said that the NEC which used to be the funding agency for development of infrastructures and some government projects, has diversified its activities in the fields of Education and Health. He also said that the boys' hostel of Cotton University to be constructed at the cost Rs 6 crore (being provided by NEC) is an example of this diversification.

Dr Singh said the students from the North Eastern States particularly Assam face the problem of suitable accommodation whenever they go outside for higher studies. He said that his Ministry is trying to set up hostels for NE students with the help of NEC funds in Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru (also called Bangalore).

According to the DONER Minister, a hostel to accommodate 400 girl students was set with NEC funds at Bengaluru two years ago. He added that the NEC will also provide funds to set up a hostel in the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. The hostel in JNU will accommodate 75% students from the NE States while the remaining 25% students will belong to the other States. The fees of the proposed hostel in JNU for NE students will be subsidized, he pointed out.

Dr Singh also said that the NEC is funding several Healthcare projects. He stated that the Dr B. Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) has received a boost due to NEC funding.

Speaking at the function, Vice Chancellor of Cotton University Prof. Bhabesh Chandra Goswami thanked the DONER Minister and the NEC for providing funds to build the modern hostel at his university. He also said that besides the boys' hostel, a hostel for girls will also be constructed at a cost of Rs 6 crore provided by the NEC. Construction of both the hostels is expected to be completed by 2022.

Former bureaucrat and present Chairman of Assam Human Rights Commission, Rajiv Kumar Bora who played a crucial role in getting funds sanctioned for the hostels at Cotton University, was also present at the Tuesday's function at the university.

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