Rajya Sabha discusses development, neglect of north east

DONER Minister Sarbanand Sonowal informed the Upper House that since taking over as Prime Minister in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has insisted that his ministers frequently tour the North East to ensure development of the region.

“In his meetings, he asked the ministers what all did you do when you visited the North-East? He expressed concern that just a visit will not do, you will have to spend time there and interact with the people and educate them about the work of your ministry,” Sonowal said.

He emphasised that change is visible in the region and there is new energy and enthusiasm among the people. “Transformation is possible through transportation. So we worked on increasing connectivity,” he said, adding that the tourism sector is showing growth in the NE.

Sonowal said rail connectivity, electrification and doubling of rail tracks has been enhanced with the introduction of ten new trains. In Mizoram, a railway tunnel is being built, something thought not possible at such high altitude.

He claimed industry has got a boost and as chief minister he had organized Advantage Assam, an investor summit that saw captains of industry and the Prime Minister himself attending it. 269 MoUs promising Rs 66,000 Crore of investment were signed.

The minister said an AIIMS has come up in Guwahati while eight medical colleges have been established in various states. There is a lot of focus on promoting fruits, flowers and natural medicines of the region. An ambitious plan to sow 10 crore plants were started and 9 crore and 50 lakh plants have already been sown.

“The economy, tourism and the students have benefitted in the NE which now stands for New Engine of India’s growth,” Sonowal said.

However, the Opposition claimed despite a dedicated ministry, the Narendra Modi government has not done much and is only carry forward the plans envisaged by the UPA.

Ripun Bora (Cong) said the condition in the North East is horrible and the Modi government lacks sincerity. “This government is a name changer, not a game changer,” he said, adding that the government has only changed names of previous schemes.

“During Dr Manmohan Singh’s time there was the Look to East policy. But the BJP government has changed it to Act to East,” he said, alleging that the industrial policy started in 2007 which gave 30% subsidy to industrial houses was discontinued and NEIDS- NE industrial development Scheme was launched which gives a mere Rs 5 Cr.

“Not a single mega project has been sanctioned in the last eight years. The airport and other projects were sanctioned during UPA. These projects have not been completed. There is no office of the DONER ministry,” he said. Profit making units have been closed down and 180 employees have died for want of money, he added.

Sushmita Dev (TMC) said she is pained by the condition in the NE which lacks basic education and health infrastructure and allocation of funds of various ministries for the region is meagre. “The whole administrative machinery is working on the NRC. Illegal coal mining is a major problem. States are losing as coal is illegally taken out,” she said.

She mentioned the firing incident between police of Mizoram and Assam in which locals had died. “Some people say NE is not developing as there is insurgency and some people say there is insurgency hence there is no development. NEC has a role to play. Border disputes between states have to be solved,” she said.

Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) said we need to differentiate between intrusion and inclusion in the NE. “Border states should not be looked at only from the point of view of law and order. Till we see this region as a piece of land we will not be able to deal with the sense of alienation there,” he said. Jha mentioned AFSPA and said the practice of looking at NE from the law-and-order point of view should be jettisoned. The Panchsheel policy of Jawaharlal Nehru should be implemented in the region.

Praful Patel (NCP) said the way China is eyeing Arunachal Pradesh is a matter of concern. “Development of infrastructure in NE will help us secure as well as develop the region,” he said.