No dearth of funds for Northeast, timely utilization a must: Home Minister Amit Shah

CORRESPONDENT & AGENCIES

SHILLONG: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said here on Saturday that the Centre is striving for solving the problems, including boundary disputes, afflicting the northeastern States, besides restoring peace by bringing all militants to the mainstream of society.

"Gone are the days when major issues in the Northeast comprised infiltration, insurgency and corruption. Now connectivity, infrastructure and development hog limelight in the region," Shah said in his meetings and various programmes in Shillong on Saturday. He also had a closed-door meeting with the Chief Ministers of the eight states of the region. He assured the Chief Ministers that for the development of the Northeast the Budget would see no bounds, but the states should ensure timely utilization of funds. He requested the Chief Ministers of the region to solve the inter-State border disputes mutually through dialogues.

He further said that the northeastern region would be the country's growth destination and the capitals of the eight states of the region would be connected by air and railway network by 2023-24.

On Day 1 of his two-day visit to Meghalaya, Shah inaugurated several projects, including the inter-state bus terminus at Mawiong in Shillong. Funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC), the ISBT was built at Rs 48.31 crore.

Shah said that improving connectivity of the northeastern states is the top priority of the Modi government, as, without connectivity, the development would not be possible.

"The works are being carried out with utmost priority to develop and further expand the road, rail, air and waterways networks of all the northeastern states to connect them with the rest of the country," he said.

Shah also said that the Central government led by Prime Minister Modi has done a lot of development and welfare works in all the sectors for the all-around development of the region and economic prosperity of the people of the eight states.

The Home Minister said that the Central government has three important focus points for the region – protection and development of the region's culture and tradition.

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), in collaboration with all the northeastern states, would take all steps to achieve the desired purposes, Shah said.

He applauded the efforts and dedication of 'Team NESAC' and assured that the Centre is committed to providing advanced technical support to the region, which can transform the lives of the people of the northeastern states.

Shah also inaugurated a cryogenic oxygen plant at Umsawli, an afforestation project at Wahshari in Sohra, the Greater Sohra Water Supply Scheme at Khliehshnong, besides visiting the headquarters of Assam Rifles in Shillong.

Also Read: Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurated the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Mawiong, Shillong

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