Staff Reporter,
Guwahati, October 9: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday attended the second and final day of the 70th Plenary of the North Eastern Council (NEC), in presence of Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, who is also the Chairman of the Shillong-headquartered statutory advisory body, at the Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara. Addressing the Plenary, the Chief Minister spoke upon multitudes of issues crucial for inclusive and sustainable growth and development of the Northeastern region in general and Assam in particular. Stressing on the need to tackle the menaces of narcotics and flood in the State, the Chief Minister stated the deliberations on the two issues at the Plenary would go a long way in effectively and efficiently dealing with them. The Chief Minister also spoke upon the measures being taken to reach for an amicable settlement to the inter-state border disputes in the Northeast, adding that 50% of Assam’s boundary dispute with Meghalaya has already been resolved. Processes have been initiated to reach for a permanent solution to Assam’s boundary dispute with Arunachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister added. He also stressed upon the need for collective efforts of governments of all the states of Northeast, if boundary disputes settlement is to be permanent and final. The Chief Minister added that initiatives such as the Udan Scheme have lent a new momentum to the communication scenario in the Northeast. Improving the air-connectivity scenario between the states of the Northeast would be a huge boost for the region in general, the Chief Minister added. Stating that insurgency was a major issue in the Northeast that was hindering progress of the region on multiple fronts, the Chief Minister lauded the efforts of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for steps taken to resolve it. Owing to the Home Minister’s focus on the subject, the era of insurgency can be said to be history in Assam now, the Chief Minister added. The Chief Minister also stated that permanent peace in Northeast would provide a new fillip to the region’s growth momentum. Dr. Sarma added the need for a museum in Assam to highlight the ethnic, cultural artifacts and products of the States of the Northeast. The Chief Minister assured the NEC of all co-operation, including allotment of land, from the government of Assam, if the regional statutory advisory body comes up with a concrete plan for such a museum. Today’s Plenary was also attended by Minister of DoNER G Kishen Reddy, Minister of State for DoNER B.L. Verma, Assam and Nagaland Governor Professor Jagdish Mukhi, Governors and Chief Ministers of the States of the Northeast, along with host of other senior dignitaries.
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