DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh: NE emerging as COVID management model

GUWAHATI: Today in the special 50th episode of "Pratirodh" programme aired by AIR, Guwahati, Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that North East has emerged as a model for others to follow as far as management of coronavirus is concerned. Speaking at the special 50th episode, the Union Minister appreciated the discipline and resolve showed by people of NE in following lockdown and ensuring low rate of COVID-19 infection in the region.

Elaborating on the financials, Dr. Singh informed that Rs. 500 crore has been earmarked for health infrastructure projects in North East under NESIDS and a special package of Rs. 25 crore for Corona Management was provided by DoNER ministry as gap funding to the North Eastern states in the early phases of the lockdown to purchase protective gears, PPE kits and masks which included Rs 5 crore for Assam.

Saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had always given top priority to NE States, Dr. Singh highlighted the financial allocations by the Central Government to the region and supply of essential items through air cargo and railways to the remote parts of the region since the beginning of lockdown as sincerity shown by Union Government towards NE.

He also informed that the DoNER Ministry had been providing full support to the NE students staying outside while helping them and the migrant labourers to get back to their native states through railways and buses. Dr. Singh observed that DoNER Ministry's efforts for early sealing of interstate borders with the help of MHA and respective State Governments helped in controlling the spread of COVID-19 cases in the NE States.

During the programme, DoNER Minister had expressed his satisfaction over the role played by women SHGs in strengthening rural economy of the region and he stressed on the resumption of economic activities while maintaining strict COVID-19 protocols. He also appreciated the face mask production activities of women SHGs and threw light on bamboo industries as a high potential sector for employment generation in the region.

Talking to Manas Pratim Sarma, News Editor, AIR Guwahati, the DoNER Minister said that in the next few years, NE was well poised to become most attractive destination for all the young startup entrepreneurs and business entities from all over India. 

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