Digital India initiative can tackle Assam's remoteness for development: Sarbananda Sonowal

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said in the two-day 65th Plenary of North Eastern Council concluded today in Shillong where Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the concluding day of the plenary as the Chief Guest that Assam being the largest state in the North East and gateway to all the North Eastern states always remains at the forefront of all regional initiatives.

“Though remoteness of the NER is considered as a big hindrance for development, an extensive use of Digital India, the Prime Minister’s pet programme can go a long way in addressing the problem,” Sonowal said.

Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister Modi who has asked all his Council of Ministers to visit North East at least once every fortnight, Sonowal said this gesture of Modi shows his commitment to the development North East. Stating that development of the Country is intrinsically associated with the development of North East, Sonowal emphasised on application of world’s latest technologies and management techniques to expedite the development of the Region.

Sonowal also exhorted on the right mix of human resources with natural resources to bring about optimum level of development of Assam. The Chief Minister also expressed his government’s commitment to simultaneous development of Brahmaputra Valley, Barak Valley and two Hill Districts of the State.

“Assam the largest state in the NE Region having 30 per cent of land area and 68 per cent of total population of the Region, supports enhancement of the allocation for NEC and a rational distribution of funds among the states of the region. All the states of the North East should have a collective endeavour to secure additional funds for the development of their respective states,” Sonowal said.

Sonowal also suggested that since pressure on the land is increasing phenomenally, it is becoming difficult for the states to make available government land and hence suggested that NEC should allow incorporating land cost in the DPR for acquiring project land for certain categories of projects.

The Assam CM also said that all the Chief Ministers of North East should act in unison for preserving and judicious harnessing of its rich bio-diversity for bolstering the Region’s agenda of development.

Sonowal also requested to concede special treatment for the North East to expedite its economic growth.

“Under the leadership of the Prime Minister and his pet programmes like Make in India, Digital India, North East should be in a position to reap the dividends of ‘Acchedin’,” Sonowal said.

Speaking on the occasion Assam Governor PB Acharya emphasised on the introduction of Panchayati Raj System in 6th Schedule Areas which he believes will strengthen local economy besides strengthening the democratic edifice in those areas.

Acharya also stressed on the need of optimum utilization of mobilising groups like women groups, self help groups and other units and channelize their energy for social transformation even at the grass root level.

“North East’s natural resources, bio diversities, unique and diverse demographic profile and the Region’s proximity with south East Asian Nations call for a concerted and synergistic efforts towards its development and NEC which has been mandated to bolster its development can play a lead role in this regard,” Acharya said.

Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Governors and Chief Ministers of all North Eastern Statest including Sikkim and other dignitaries were present at the plenary.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)