Development in the north-east region has been given special attention in this year's General and Railway Budget. A slew of special budgetary provisions have been made to facilitate growth in different sectors and boost connectivity in the region.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while presenting the first budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government, laid strong emphasis on the development of the north-eastern region.
A total of Rs. 2,362.74 crores has been allocated for the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry for the 2015-16 fiscal year, witnessing a sharp increase of 29.43 percent.
The allocation for the implementation of various schemes of the North Eastern Council was also increased by 26 percent.
The Finance Minister also announced other initiatives, including setting up of manufacturing hubs in Southeast Asian countries under the 'Act East' Policy to boost trade and commerce between - north-east India and south-east Asia.
In an effort to facilitate all round development in the region, Jaitley also announced the setting up of a Centre for Film Production, Animation and Gaming in Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian Institute of Science and Education Research in Nagaland and an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Assam.
The decision to boost the MGNREGA funds by Rs. 5,000 crores is also expected to benefit the north-eastern states.
"For MGNREGA project, 5,000 crores have been allocated and in that project the north-eastern states will be benefited. So, now it is clear that the people living in the rural and hilly areas of the north-east will be benefited," said Jayanta Bhattacharya, a member of the North East Centre for Policy Dialogue.
Dr. Indronil Bhaumik, a professor of economics at Tripura University, said the northeastern states will gain from the budget.
"We have been hearing about the PPP model for almost a decade or more than that but not much has come from it. The Finance Minster has realized it himself and made a commitment of around 17 thousand crores, as investment for infrastructure form the public sector itself, as a catalyst for private participation which I think is a very good step," said Dr. Bhaumik.
"And north-east may be stands to gain from it in future. Because when we say about connectivity, all-weather roads, electrification, many of the north-east villages are bereft of it. And if these targets are achieved then north-east will gain," he added.
Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu had earlier on February 26 while presenting the Railway Budget announced that the Centre is committed to develop railway connectivity in the north-east region and all the state capitals will be connected to Delhi.
The government has been putting a lot of emphasis on expanding the rail network in the north-east region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month flagged off the first ever AC express train connecting Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh with New Delhi.
Meghalaya also became a part of the railway network last year with the Prime Minister flagging of a train from Mehendipathar to Dudhnoi in Assam.
The Railways Minister very categorically said that the Centre is committed to enhance connectivity in the north-east.
"We are committed to provide rail connectivity to the north-eastern states. I am happy to announce that Meghalaya has been brought on the railway map of India and direct connectivity to Delhi has been provided to Arunachal Pradesh by our honorable Prime Minister," said Prabhu.
"Further, the Barak Valley will be brought on broad gauge by March this year. The work for connecting the remaining states of the region is progressing well," he added.
All round socio-economic development in the north-east region is one of the topmost priorities of the Centre.
There is a huge scope for growth in various sectors in the region and the government is keen to tap the potential, especially the trade opportunities with Southeast Asian countries.
Efforts are also on to facilitate better connectivity, which will give a fillip to the tourism industry of the region and will speed up industrialization.
