The Lok Sabha today passed the Demands for Grants of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region for 2016-17. Replying to the discussion , Minister for Development of North Eastern Region,DoNER, Jitendra Singh said,the Narendra Modi led government is giving special focus over the development of North Eastern States. <br/><br/>He said, these States have high literacy rates and are contributing to the growth of the nation. He said, DoNER Ministry has also started holding secretariat camps in different States of the region to address the issues related to the schemes. <br/><br/>Admitting that there is lack of air connectivity within the region,Mr Singh said, the government wants to develop Guwahati as a hub of chopper services to enhance connectivity in the region. He said, the government has also identified 17 waterways which will provide alternative ways of cheaper transportation. <br/><br/>The Minister also informed the House that over five thousand core rupees have been allocated for installation of towers to improve telecom connectivity. He said, to provide hostel facilities for the North Eastern students living in other parts of the country, the government is in the process of acquiring land in Delhi and Pune. He said, in Bangaluru, the land has been acquired for the construction of hostel.<br/><br/>Earlier,initiating the discussion, Thokchom Meinya of Congress demanded repealing of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur. He said, it has in no way helped improve security situation in the area. <br/><br/>Bijoya Chakravarty of BJP raised the issue of huge unemployment in the North Eastern States. She said, there is huge potential of promotion and development of tourism in the region. Tathagata Satpathy of BJD stressed on the need for integration of youth of the region with the rest of the country.