Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh convened a meeting at his office with Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State for Finance, Jayant Sinha to discuss various developmental projects in Arunachal Pradesh and other North Eastern States as well as the related financial issues.
At the meeting, Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi accords high priority to peripheral States of Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir.
Referring to several new initiatives taken to improve connectivity in the region which, in turn, can boost both tourism as well as business, Dr Jitendra Singh referred to the proposal for extending the Guwahati Airport and setting up new airports in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. In addition to airports, he said, Arunachal Pradesh also has a huge potential for organic farming, investment in fruit industry and tourism development in view of its scenic beauty. In the beginning of next year, he said, the foundation stone for a film institute will also be laid in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Ministry of DoNER, Dr Jitendra Singh said, has envisaged several new projects to attract investment for the region but there are constraints of funds for which he requested the MoS Finance to help through his good offices in order to expedite the delay in such projects. He also requested for determining the prioritization of projects by the State Government in consultation with the Members of Parliament and other elected representatives from the respective State.
Kiren Rijiju said that entire Northeast region, including his native State of Arunachal Pradesh, holds a high stake for the nation and therefore requested for liberal funding to overcome the slow pace of development which happened during the erstwhile UPA rule.
Jayant Sinha assured that his Ministry will undertake an exercise to identify the exact financial status of various ongoing central schemes and projects in Northeast, and accordingly offer its views and suggestions.
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