Modi government committed to northeast’s socio-economic development: Rajnath

Shillong, July 9 (IANS) Stressing India's northeastern states suffered from lack of adequate private investment, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the Narendra Modi government is committed to ensure socio-economic development of this region as per its potential and to also ensure peace and prosperity to the citizens.

"Our Government is taking keen interest to act as a link with the South East Asian countries so as to push economic development in the region. 'The Look East Policy' has been changed to 'The Act East Policy'. We are trying to ensure in all eight States, sectors such as infrastructure strengthening, manufacturing, trade, tourism, skill development, urban renewal, smart cities, and 'Make in India' get emphasized," he said in his address at the 67th Plenary meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) here.

He also suggested the NITI Forum for the North East to meet on a regular basis and decide on the action to be taken on recommendations by October and for this, he even advocated calling a special Session of the NEC.

The NEC, a regional planning body of the eight northeastern states, has recently been brought under the direct control of the Union Home Ministry. The Home Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the council while Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister is the vice chairman.

The meeting was attended by Governors and Chief Ministers of all the eight north-eastern states, including Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, Jitendra Singh.

Rajnath Singh, underlining that cooperation between India and ASEAN is essential for the region's prosperity, he said with this objective, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj chaired an interactive session with Chief Ministers of northeastern states on the 'Act East Policy' and discussed the issues in detail.

This forum should prepare a broad roadmap towards realizing the objectives of the "Act East Policy" and for its preparation and its speedy implementation, NEC can be a right forum," he added.