Northeast CMs demand better infrastructure

The northeastern states have made a demand to the Centre for stepping up industrial development in the region.

The northeastern states on Saturday made a demand to the Centre for stepping up infrastructure development in the region, enabling them to attract industrial investment.

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In their separate speeches at the National Development Council meeting in New Delhi, Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim sought special attention to development of small scale industries in the region.

They also demanded that the Centre put in place adequate credit infrastructure for commercialising agri and allied sectors.

A new thrust needs to be given to promote border trade under the 'Look East Policy' for making the region an effective cultural and economic bridge between India and Southeast Asia.

"I urge upon the Government of India that the second green revolution should focus attention for growth of agriculture in the adequate funds through Central schemes are required to renovate and modernise existing major and medium irrigation projects, tap underground irrigation potential and utilise water of the Brahmaputra river, Gogoi added.

He also asked the Centre to make surplus power, generated by mega projects in the region, available on first priority to northeastern states before its evacuation to other states.