![Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh receiving a catalogue and memorandum from a delegation of social and civil society activists from Manipur, led by Indira Oinam, at New Delhi. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh receiving a catalogue and memorandum from a delegation of social and civil society activists from Manipur, led by Indira Oinam, at New Delhi.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/page5-19.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 6: An amount of Rs. 33097.02 crore has been allocated in the current year’s union financial budget for Northeast.
This was disclosed here by 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 while speaking to a delegation of social and civil society activists from Manipur, led by Head of the Women Income Generation Centre (WIGC) and prominent political leader Indira Oinam.
Dr Jitendra Singh further informed that this amount includes the financial contribution by 56 Ministries and Departments of Government of India, including Rs. 2400 crore provided to the Ministry of DoNER. The budget allocation to the Ministry of DoNER, in turn, includes fund for Non-Lapsable Central Pool Reserve (NLCPR) scheme and the scheme of North Eastern Council (NEC). In addition, an amount of Rs. 1000 crore has also been allocated for grants to Autonomous Councils and areas covered under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, while submitting a catalogue and memorandum to the Minister, Indira Oinam appreciated the various new initiatives undertaken by Dr Jitendra Singh in Northeast over the last one and a half year. She said, Manipur has suffered a protracted phase of injustice and discrimination because of the Congress rule and it is time to replace the 3-term Congress rule. Oinam was also of the view that tribals in the State need to be brought back to the mainstream and their culture to be revived so that they get a feeling of identity and pride. Similarly, she said, the youth of Manipur were weary of the present regime and were yearning for change.
Expressing the hope that BJP led Government is capable of giving a new direction to the people of Manipur, Oinam said, the people of Manipur have great expectations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and aspire for the same technological and infrastructural development which is taking place in the rest of the country.
Dr Jitendra Singh assured Indira Oinam and other members of the delegation that the Modi Government is committed to ensure all round development of Northeast and Manipur, being an important State in the region, stands high on its priorities. He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is conscious of the aspirations of the youth, which is why, one of the first announcements made by him, after taking over as Prime Minister, was to set up a Sports University in Manipur.