Northeast given 'top priority' in development, says finance minister Sitharaman

Kohima, Nov 15: Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that the Northeast has been given "top priority" by the Central government in terms of infrastructure, investments, skill development and digital expansion.

She made the remarks while interacting with students and young professionals at the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) Kohima, where participants raised questions on the Act East Pol-icy, emerging technologies, women's financial empowerment and digital inclusion.

"Northeast has been kept at the centre of policy when you're looking at development, skills, investments," she said in response to a query by Rishabh Sethi on leveraging the Act East Policy for innovation and trade.

The region, she noted, is now supported by stronger connectivity, improved digital infrastructure and widening market access.

After decades of lagging infrastructure, the Northeast is witnessing rapid upgrades in highways, airports, digital networks and logistics.

"Capacities have been ramped up... and digital capabilities are catching up very fast," she said, adding that the region's location makes it a key partner in India's engagement with Southeast Asia.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday also reviewed implementation of Central schemes, ongoing development projects, and welfare initiatives sanctioned to the Aspirational district of Kiphire.

Sitharaman, who arrived in Nagaland on Thursday, is on a three-day visit to the State.

During the day, she visited the Anganwadi Centre 'A' at Kiphire and held a brief interaction with local Anganwadi workers, helpers, and children. She also handed over a cheque provided by the SBI to the centre.

Sitharaman was accompanied by Nagaland Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along, Minister for Housing and Mechanical Engineering Bashangmongba Chang, and a host of other dignitaries.

After her arrival in Kiphire district on Thursday afternoon, Sitharaman visited the district hospital and handed over aid under SBI Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, to the hospital in a ceremony.

In her address, the Union Finance Minister said that though it took some time to plan, she was finally able to visit the Aspirational district to gauge the public aspirations and review implementation of various CSR projects in the district.

Referring to her interactions with ministers of the State Government and the lack of resources that Naga-land faces, she said that each time she visits the State, she ensures that substantial CSR projects are allotted to the State.

Sitharaman also handed over medical equipment for a blood bank worth Rs 5.81 lakh, hospital equipment worth Rs 59 lakh, and five bike ambulances for primary health centres of Kiphire district under the SBI CSR project.

She thanked the SBI for contributing critical medical equipment to the district hospital. Sitharaman also flagged off the bike ambulances at the district hospital.

(With inputs from PTI)