IMPHAL, Aug 21: Union Minister of State, Railways Rajen Gohain has stated the capital cities of all the North Eastern States would be connected by railways by 2020.
He was speaking at an event christened Yad Karo Kurbani held at Takyel Kolom Leikai community hall in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Independence Day of India.
BJP Manipur Pradesh president K Bhabananda, MLA Joykisan and many other BJP leaders were also present at the function.
Even though Congress party was in power for a prolonged period at the Centre, very little was done for the development of the North East region, he said.
Nonetheless, the BJP Government has been paying extra attention to the region and the Central Government has launched a number of programmes for speedy development of the region, Rajen Gohain added.
In order to address the problem of transport bottlenecks, the Central Government has started working in right earnest to achieve the target of connecting all the State capitals of the North East by railways, he asserted.
The North East region can never be overlooked in all the diplomatic manoeuvres of the country to establish and sustain cordial relationship with neighbouring countries like China, Myanmar, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
As such, the BJP Government has been working for inclusive growth.
In order to exploit the immense tourism potential of the North East region, world class tourism infrastructure must be developed across the region. Tourism, if properly developed, can generate employment and boost the economy of all the North Eastern States.
Misappropriation of funds sanctioned for development projects and schemes by the State Government can turn out to be a big disappointment for the people of the State as the Centre may be unwilling to sanction more projects, Rajen Gohain said.
Benefits of all the welfare schemes should be accessible to all the people.
Noting that Manipuris still hold Bir Tikendrajit very dear, the MoS declared that a Shahid Minar would be constructed at a proper site at Hojai, Assam at the cost of Rs 50 lakh.
K Bhabananda remarked that Prime Minister Narendra Modi by offering rich tributes to all the freedom fighters rang out a clear message that all the citizens should have a fair dose of patriotism.
Though it has been 70 years since India achieved independence, poverty and corruption still continue to plague the country. If India should march ahead on the path of development and progress, Congress should be rooted out first, Bhabananda asserted.
The gathering also paid floral tributes to the photographs of H Nillamani, M Koireng, S Chaoba, L Kanhai, P Tomal, Otkhochei Haokip and Rani Gaidinliu.
