Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that with the all-round development of the northeastern region, “Atmanirbhar Bharat” would be achieved.
Addressing a massive gathering at Jerenga Pothar in Sivasagar in eastern Assam, Modi said that since the central government was led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the present NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government has been according top priority to the development of Assam and other northeastern states.
“From infrastructure and connectivity development to growth in health, education, employment generation, the double engine governments at the centre and the state are taking forward Assam’s all round progress.”
The government has taken simultaneous modern projects for the development and expansion of road, rail, air, water connectivities of Assam and other northeastern states.
“In these multi dimensional water connectivity projects, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar are also involved,” he said referring to the “Act-East Policy”.
The Prime Minister said Assam is a significant part of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” where 11,000 km road and several important bridges have been constructed and the way to “Atmanirbhar Assam” is through “Atmavishwaas” among the people of Assam.
In the public gathering at the historical Sivasagar district, the Prime Minister launched the Assam government’s mega programme to distribute land “patta” (land allotment permit) to 1,06,940 landless indigenous people.
“Nearly 70 tribes of Assam have been provided social security. The BJP government in Assam also took many schemes for their speedy development. These would ensure a life of dignity for many and protect Assam’s unique culture.
“Love of the people of Assam brings me back again and again. I have had the privilege to visit various parts of the state over the years. I have come to celebrate with the people of the state on a major achievement of the state’s indigenous people,” the Prime Minister added.
He said that for the development of the gas and oil based infrastructures, Rs 40, 000 crore are being invested since the past few years.
Modi’s Saturday’s public address can be termed as the first big election rally as Assembly polls are scheduled to take place in Assam along with West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry in April-May.
He said that when the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government came to power in Assam (in 2016), more than six lakh indigenous families had no legal rights over their land. “In the past four years more than two lakh such families have been allotted “patta” or the land ownership document and more than one lakh famiies added today (Saturday).
The government has fulfilled its commitment in protecting the rights of the indigeneous people, A”The land pattas would guarantee their ‘Swabhiman’ (pride), Swadheenta (freedom) and Suraksha (protection),” Modi pointed out in his half-an-hour speech.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leaving no stone unturned in promoting Northeast on the world map and bringing progress and prosperity in the region.
Addressing the 69th plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shilling, Shah said whether it is natural beauty or rich cultural heritage, the region has immense potential to become a big tourism hub of our country.
“When Modi ji became the Prime Minister, he said in the very beginning that the development of India lies in the development of the Northeast. The region which was neglected for decades has witnessed unprecedented peace and development under PM Modi,” he said.
The Home Minister said that from increasing livelihoods to bringing several development projects, NEC has played a crucial role in fuelling the economic growth of the region.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh, who is the Vice-Chairman of the Council, received Shah at the helipad in Upper Shillong.
Except Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Governors and Chief Ministers of six other northeastern states took part in the important plenary session of the NEC, a regional planning body.
Ministers and officials of Assam and Mizoram, however, attended the meeting, where a large number of central government officials participated.
According to the NEC official, in the NEC meeting, progress of various developmental projects would be reviewed, and future plans and projects for the eight northeastern states are likely to be finalised.
A senior NEC official said that the Home Minister has asked Chief Ministers of the concerned northeastern states to resolve inter-state boundary disputes amicably through bilateral talks.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh while talking to the media after the NEC meeting said that the border fencing work along the India-Myanmar frontiers adjoining Manipur now being undertaken.
“Most of the militant outfits in Manipur were now under cessation of operation mode,” he said.
The NEC, which was set up in 1971, is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the northeastern region comprising Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
According to the officials, over the last 50 years, the NEC, under the Ministry of DoNER, has been instrumental in setting in motion a new economic endeavour aimed at removing the basic handicaps that stood in the way of normal development of the region and has ushered in an era of new hope in this backward area full of great potentialities.
Shah, who arrived in Guwahati then flew to Shillong by helicopter on Saturday on a two-day visit to Meghalaya and Assam. His schedule includes attending the plenary committee meeting of North Eastern Space Application Centre in Shillong and the launch of Ayushman Bharat Yojana for the Central Armed Police Force personnel and their families in Guwahati.
