IMPHAL, November 30: Strengthening Northeastern States by upgrading infrastructural development under the Act East Policy is among the top priorities of the National Democratic Alliance led government in the center.
This was stated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his brief halt at the BJP State office of Nityaipat Chuthek Imphal, after attending the concluding function of the Sangai Festival this evening.
The PM was received by Th Chaoba, president of the State BJP, M Asnikumar, secretary and executive members of the party. The function was also attended by ADC and Municipal Council members of the party.
Exuding confidence that Imphal-Mandalay bus service will soon be a reality, the PM said the matter was discussed well with his Myanmar counterpart during his recent visit to the country.
Modi continued that the success of the Act East Policy will give a boost to trade and commerce and better connectivity of the Northeast region with other South East Asian countries. In this regard, Modi said the States of this region should be prepared beforehand, adding that railway connectivity work was launched for Meghalaya yesterday as part of the government`™s effort to include the State in the railway map of India.
Further the PM said that his government is seriously working towards changing the old face of NE to a new look. The government is thinking of providing many skill development schemes for the unemployed youths of Manipur.
He maintained that even though the BJP has no elected member in the State Assembly, the hard work done by the workers will bear fruit and make the party stronger in the region. It is always a pleasure to sit and talk with the party workers in spite of tight schedules, he added.
He also said that he cannot forget the support given by the NE people during his poll campaigns for the 2014 Lok Sabha. And at the same time, we cannot neglect the expectations of the people placed in the NDA government, he said.
Chaoba thanked the PM for coming to the State by sparing time from his busy schedules. He also drew the attention of the PM to the need for improving the Imphal`“Jiribam road within a specific time frame.
The State BJP chief also proposed that classes for the proposed Sports University can be started at SAI complex, and construction work for the said university should be taken up soon at a site which is free from controversy.
Later, BJP Manipur Pradesh submitted a memorandum to the PM on various issues. The memorandum includes pleas for improvement of road connectivity along the two National Highways and repealing of Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958.
It also dwelled on games and sports, health sectors, human resource developments, Act East Policy and air transports, agriculture and allied sectors, environment and ecology, demographic imbalance and indigenous people, science and technology, power, foreign trade and border pillars, and issues relating to minorities in Manipur.