North East CMs demand better infrastructure

Bureau Report
Zee News: 09 December, 2006

New Delhi: The north eastern states on Saturday made a demand to the Centre for stepping up infrastructure development in the region, enabling them to attract industrial investment.

In their separate speeches at the National Development Council meeting here, chief ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim sought special attention to development of small scale industries in the region.

They also demanded that the Centre put in place adequate credit infrastructure for commercialising agri and allied sectors.

A new thrust needs to be given to promote border trade under the 'Look East Policy' for making the region an effective cultural and economic bridge between India and South East Asia.

"I urge upon the Government of India that the second Green Revolution should focus attention for growth of agriculture in the north-eastern region," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

Adequate funds through central schemes are required to renovate and modernise existing major and medium irrigation projects, tap underground irrigation potential and utilise water of the Brahmaputra River, Gogoi added.

He also asked the Centre to make surplus power, generated by mega projects in the region, available on first priority to north eastern states before its evacuation to other states.

Conservation of eco-systems, effective management of large water bodies and speedier completion of railway projects in the region were other requirements highlighted by Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh.

He urged the Centre to catalyse quality and reach of adult education programmes through intensive awareness campaigns and said special emphasis needs to be given to technical and vocational education.

"It is imperative to provide more funds for centrally sponsored schemes for filling the gaps in manpower and infrastructure, especially at the primary health care level," he added.

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling cited infrastructure constraints in the region as a major hindrance to development. "We do not have an airport as yet," he said adding, the only national highway, 31A, remains disrupted for months on end.

The Centre should begin work on improving the Gangtok-Nathula and Sevoke-Gangtok roads, which would enable better access and smoothen trade transaction with China.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio suggested setting up of appropriate technical and training institutes to help the youth find gainful employment in the organised sector or as self-employed entrepreneurs.

Rio asked the central government to construct a highway along the Indo-Myanmar border, which would help open up the area for trade, economic development and act as a check on illegal trafficking of drugs and arms through the Golden Triangle.

He sought expeditious sanctions for many projects including four laning of NH-39 from Dimapur to Kohima and revival of Tuli Paper Mill, pending for the last three years.