'Rs 7-lakh crore being spent for NE's development'
SHILLONG: Using a football analogy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said in his address at the golden jubilee celebrations of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong that his government has given red cards to hurdles like corruption, nepotism and discrimination in the last eight years.
In his address, Modi said, "It is a coincidence that today when the final of the Football World Cup is taking place, I am in the midst of football lovers on the football ground itself. On the other side, a football competition is going on and subsequently this side, we are competing for development on the football field. I realize the match is taking place in Qatar but the excitement and enthusiasm are no less here," he said.
"In football, if someone's behaviour is against the spirit of the game, then he is shown a red card and thrown out. Similarly, in the last eight years, we have eradicated many hurdles— corruption, nepotism, discrimination— related to development of the North-East. The roots of such hurdles are deep, but we must them entirely. In the last eight years, several outfits left the path of violence and followed the path of peace. In coordination with the state governments, the situation is being continuously improved to ensure that there is no need for AFSPA in the North-East," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi further said that his government is investing Rs 7 lakh crore to develop infrastructure in the Northeastern region even as the spending for the region was merely Rs 2 lakh crore since the independence of the country. He said that foundations were laid and ribbons cut during the tenures of previous governments, but actual development had not taken place in the North-East. "For development to take place, the determination and intention of the government must be very strong", Modi said, adding that completion of projects have been made time-bound by his government.
The Prime Minister said that the borders of the North-East were not the last areas but would be the security and development gateway with trade and commerce being undertaken with the neighbouring countries. He said that vibrant border villages would be created with all facilities and connectivity in the bordering areas.
Prime Minister highlighted that the government has gone beyond the conversion of the 'Look East' policy to 'Act East', and now its policy is 'Act Fast for Northeast' and 'Act First for North-East'.
Recalling the efforts of his government in the last eight years Modi said, Referring to the tourism potential of the region, he said that both culture and nature of the region are attracting tourists from across the world. Noting that in the last eight years the number of airports in the region has jumped from 9 to 16 and the numbers of flights have increased from about 900 before 2014 to around 1,900 now, Modi said that work is now underway to connect all the state capitals of the region by railway networks.
Saying that the length of national highways has increased by 50 per cent since 2014 in the region, he said that with the launch of the PM-DevINE scheme, the infrastructure projects in the North-East have gained more momentum. He added that the government is also working on improving digital connectivity in the North-East by increasing the optical fibre network.
Meghalaya Governor Brigadier BD Mishra, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, Union Tourism and DoNER minister G Kishan Reddy and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. (Agencies)
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