DoNER budget hike to boost connectivity, infrastructure & Growth in NE: Sonowal
The government has taken up different schemes for skill development, protection of culture and heritage, etc.
GUWAHATI, Feb 6: Substantial increase in the budget for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) will go a long way in overall development of the region, asserted Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, Sonowal said that it is now up to the State Governments of the Northeast to prepare detailed proposals for development and send them to the DoNER Ministry for early approval so that the schemes can be implemented on time.
Sonowal said that the increased allocation for DoNER once again proved the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving emphasis on the all-round development of the Northeast region. He said that since assuming office as the Prime Minister, Modi has been giving stress on development of the Northeast and the results are now showing on the ground.
“I was president of the All Assam Students’ Union and chairman of the North East Students’ Organization before joining politics. I had visited all the states of the region frequently. But earlier the pace of development was much slower than what it is now,” he said.
Giving some examples, Sonowal pointed out that communication is the key for development of any region and that is why the NDA Government laid stress on this aspect. He said that rail communication has improved considerably and all the states of the region now have rail connectivity. He said that internet connectivity has improved, while, road communication as well as waterways connectivity has also improved considerably.
The government has taken up different schemes for skill development, protection of culture and heritage, etc. He said that earlier people had to demand and agitate for projects including bridges. But now people do not have to demand for projects.
Sonowal further said that since becoming the Prime Minister, Modi visited the region more than 70 times, more than the visits of all the previous Prime Ministers taken together. The Prime Minister has also directed all the Ministers to visit the region and assess the implementation of various projects. Senior officers of different Ministries are also frequently visiting the region. Thus, the Central Government is brought closer to the Northeast, he added.