PM Narendra Modi views NE through the lens of potential and not politics: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi views the Northeast through the lens of potential and not politics,” said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

On May 30, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government headed by Prime Minister Modi will complete nine years of tenure. While interacting with media persons today, Chief Minister Sarma said that although there are only a few Lok Sabha constituencies in the Northeast, Prime Minister Modi has always given importance to the identity, culture, connectivity and development of the Northeast. “Due to the Prime Minister’s goodwill and focus on the Northeast, youths of the region who are studying and working in other states are now being looked upon with respect. They are no longer subjected to racial discrimination,” said the Chief Minister.

He further said, “The Central Government is focusing on infrastructure development and seamless connectivity in the north-eastern region. Now the north-eastern states do not have to keep submitting proposals to the Centre for the construction of bridges and roads, the Centre keeps rolling out such projects. At present, construction works to the tune of Rs 55,000 crore are going on in the national highways, the Railways have invested crores of rupees on projects in this region, and steps are being taken to improve connectivity in the region through waterways. Northeast India’s first Vande Bharat Express train was flagged off today, and we have requested Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw to make provisions for the train to run from Dibrugarh and Jorhat also.

“This is the best possible time for the Northeast. We must try to get as many schemes and projects as possible for the overall development of the region. Earlier, we had to think twice before proposing a project for the construction of a bridge because there were many roadblocks. But now I can dream of implementing big projects as the Chief Minister because I know that I have the full support of the Central Government.”

Sarma said that banks have extended Rs 5,000-crore loan to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of Assam and there has been a marked improvement in the credit-deposit ratio. “Earlier, Chief Ministers did not have easy and quick access to the Prime Minister. This communication gap between the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers has been bridged by Prime Minister Modi. Chief Ministers can talk to him and meet him frequently. We can also exchange messages on WhatsApp. The bridging of the gap between the Centre and the states has aided the tremendous growth and progress that Assam has witnessed in these nine years of the Modi government,” he further said.

Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw gave a presentation on the achievements of the Modi government. “Earlier, poverty and caste were issues for vote-bank politics, but under the tenure of Prime Minister Modi, steps have been taken to alleviate poverty. Now the focus is on development and progress, and this has been possible due to the Prime Minister’s good governance. Around 3.5 crore pucca houses have been constructed for the poor and 12 crore households have been provided water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). During the COVID-19 pandemic, free ration was distributed among 80 crore people. The government has incurred an expenditure of Rs 2 lakh crore for fertilizer subsidies,” he said.

The Union Minister further said, “This government believes in the politics of transformation.” He added that the Guwahati railway station will be expanded and upgraded along the lines of railway stations in Japan.

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