The Prime Minister today committed for an all round development of Nagaland and the North Eastern States. Inaugurating the 10-day Hornbill festival cum Statehood day of Nagaland today at Kohima and addressing a mammoth gathering as the Chief Guest, the Prime Minister termed Nagaland as a Natural Economic Zone, NEZ. Although Mr. Modi regretted that the resources are still untapped in the region, he said that it was his priority to nourish the NEZ for the North East.
Emphasizing the fact that Nagaland is a tourists hotspot, he said that tourists need good road, rail and air connectivity. For this, the Prime Minister said, fourteen new railway lines will be initiated at a cost of twenty eight thousand crore rupees. Giving out his Government’s initiatives for the NE region, Mr. Modi announced Ishan Uday and Ishan Vikas schemes for the benefit of Naga youths. In Ishan Uday scheme Ten thousand students from North East region will be provided special scholarship for furthering their studies.
In Ishan Vikas two thousand students and five hundred teachers will be dispatched to different parts of India during vacations every year to visit prestigious technical institutions. Stressing on the development of textile industry in the NE region, he said that one modern apparel manufacturing unit will be set up in each of the NE States. Twenty crore rupees have been provided for the programme. In energy sector, Mr. Modi announced a project of five thousand crore rupees in six NE States including Nagaland. This will facilitate intrastate transmission supply. Announcing a comprehensive telecom development plan for digital connectivity, Mr. Modi said five thousand crore rupees have been earmarked for 2G mobile coverage in the region.
In agriculture sector, the Prime Minister said that six colleges will be opened for promoting organic agriculture system. Mr. Modi said that the NE would become India’s capital of organic farming, saying that only North East can provide maximum organic agriculture. He also stressed on protecting the rich biodiversity of the state. The Prime Minister also called upon the youth of Nagaland to nurture their talent in IT resources. Mr. Modi while appreciating the rich and vibrant culture of the Nagas also urged the people to build a resurgent, stronger and prosperous Nagaland and for the benefit of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged launch of a Chatuskoniya (quadruple) movement centred at regional projects of production based on locally available natural resources in North-Eastern States. Mr. Modi was addressing a huge public rally in Tripura late in the afternoon today after dedicating the 2nd Unit of the natural gas-based thermal power plant at Palatana.
Giving a queue from India’s National Flag, the Prime Minister said, in my vision, all the four colours in the flag, namely – green, white, saffron and blue of Ashoka Chakra respectively inspire the region to promote “work-east” projects in organic farming, milk revolution, gas based and solar energy revolution and exploitation of water energy, amply available in all the North-Eastern States, including Tripura. The Centre will provide full assistance in such projects, thereby addressing the employment issue in this region, he said.
Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar, speaking at the inauguration rally, put forth demand for setting-up of middle-sized fertilizer and petroleum plants in the State by the Union Government. Replying to this, the Prime Minister said, the 10,000 crore rupees investment done in the Palatana Plant itself proves that the Centre is always with the upliftment of Tripura and the entire region.
Mr. Modi thanked the Bangladesh representatives present at the event for allowing earth-movers and heavy machinery to the Palatana Plant via sea and road route through Bangladesh. Giving hint to all the neighbouring nations in North East, the Prime Minister said this power plant proves that nation-to-nation co-operation can drastically improve the infrastructure scene in the region. The North-Eastern States are poised to play a leading role in India’s way forward in East Asian economy in 21st century, Mr. Modi asserted. Later, before his departure from Tripura, the Prime Minister met the State Chief Minister and his Cabinet in Agartala this evening.
The Cabinet submitted a nine-point Memorandum of demands to Mr. Modi asking for setting up of IIM, IIT and Central Agricultural University, gas based Urea Plant, improvement of Indo-Bangladesh connectivity etc. in the State.
