Title - 81 infrastructure projects in NE

NEW DELHI, May 23 – Claiming that security situation in the North-east has improved considerably, the UPA Government’s report card boasting about its initiatives in the region stated that it has sanctioned 81 infrastructure projects at an estimated cost of Rs 908.32 crore.
The Report to the People (2012-2013) jointly released by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi here last evening contained a chapter ‘Addressing Special Development Needs – The North-east’. Several Chief Ministers of the Congress-ruled North Eastern States including Tarun Gogoi and Nabam Tuki attended the event.

The security situation in the North-east improved considerably last year. An MoU was signed with DHD, while three Meitei insurgent groups including United Revolutionary Front comprising various factions of KCP (Lampei) factions and the factions of KYKL also signed MoUs and laid down their arms. The Naga peace talks continued along with ceasefire with all factions of the NSCN.

The report listed the initiatives taken by the UPA Government particularly in development of infrastructure development. An estimated Rs 775 crore was released under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme. Also, 55 projects involving Rs 471 crore were completed during the period.

The North Eastern Council (NEC) has sanctioned 31 projects under the agriculture and allied sector, eight new schemes under the power, nine projects under industry, 11 projects under tourism and 18 under science and technology. NEC completed construction of 237 km of roads, 11 schemes under power sector and six schemes under agriculture and allied sector.

In collaboration with the Airport Authority of India, NEC has taken up infrastructure upgradation works in five airports including Guwahati, Dubrugarh, Jorhat, Imphal and Shillong in the region.

The Transport Subsidy Scheme 1971 was revised and a Freight Subsidy Scheme was notified in January.