"North east deserves priority, infrastructure has to improve. A lot of other states have moved forward but states in the region are yet to do so," he said.
Expressing concern over lack of development in the region despite the high level of education, he said, "One reason for the situation remaining stagnant and not moving forward is the lack of infrastructure, lack of airports, lack of national highways."
Referring to relations with neighbouring countries in the NE, he said Indo-Bangladesh ties have improved considerably over the past few years. "Sheikh Hasina government (in Bangladesh) is very favourable towards India which helped reduce tension along the international border," he said.
On the law and order situation in the north east, Singh said special police stations had been sanctioned by the Centre and they would be set up soon.
The Centre has empowered NE states to improve their intelligence gathering capabilities. A total Rs 3,500 crore has been sanctioned for the ambitious Crime and Criminals Tracking Network and Systems, he said.
