IMPHAL, May 30 : Governor Dr Najma Heptulla and Chief Minster N Biren yesterday attended the 66th Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council at New Delhi.
At the meeting, Governor Najma Heptulla reiterated her suggestion on the ‘Flying Doctors’ or Air-Dispensary.
She emphasised on a joint strategy for tourism for the entire North East region and advocated allocation of funds to various States on the basis of relative backwardness rather than on the basis of population and area.
She also emphasised implementation of professional inputs to develop handloom and handicraft in Manipur.
Chief Minister N Biren stated that insurgency is a problem in the North East region but the National media does not report positive developments taking place in Manipur.
“This has affected the perception of Manipur by people from outside the State. One of the reasons for insurgency is that the people have been neglected in the past. If, instead of armed personnel, development machinery is sent, it will instil confidence in the people.” he said.
He also emphasised the need to have direct connectivity between Delhi and Imphal in order to improve investment climate in Manipur as well as to boost the tourism sector.
The Chief Minister lamented that till today there is no good road that connects the State capital with district Hqs and appealed to the Central officers to visit the State and brief the Prime Minister and Union Ministers about the potentials of the State.
Biren also urged the Chief Ministers and the Governors of the North East States to meet the Prime Minister jointly so that the need to develop the North East can be re-emphasised.
Source: The Sangai Express
