DoNER Minister mention Since 2014, militancy incidents have reduced by 74%, in NE State

New Delhi, May 31: “Eight years hence, we are seeing visible differences in every aspect and the numbers speak for themselves. Since 2014, militancy incidents have reduced by 74%, deaths of civilians has come down by 84% and with more than an 800% increase in surrenders by extremists, AFSPA has been lifted from some districts for the first time in decades”.

“The North East has seen a huge jump from Rs 36,108 crores in 2014 to Rs. 76,040 crores in 2022 (110%) in the budgetary support by Government of India. Cumulatively, since 2014, over 3 lakh crores have been spent in the region”.

“The pinnacle of Sewa to the people of North East has been to impart them the power of mobility and connectivity. In 2014, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya were put up on the railway map for the first time. Before 2014, only Assam’s capital Guwahati was connected”.

“This comprehensive approach of good governance is instilling hope and aspirations in the people of the region like never before. Today there is an ambition of making North East the hub of sports in the world, a leading exporter of exotic horticultural products and a hotbed of Startups while fast becoming the most attractive tourist destination in India”.

Across cultures the Number 8 is held as a symbol of victory, prosperity and overcoming. It also represents infinite perfection, balance and harmony. Ashta, in Sanskrit, is the number of wealth and abundance and one can draw a fascinating correlation between the 8 years of governance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the magical transformation of the eight north eastern states. It is an inspiring lesson in governance, of a region neglected over a protracted period of time, shooting to prominence as the Ashtalakshmi of the nation.

After the huge mandate in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his conviction to usher in a new dawn of progress in the region. He called the Northeast region ‘India’s Natural Economic Zone’ and made it a priority to tap into it. Today, firmly on the agenda, he calls it the ‘New Growth engine of India’

In spite of being endowed with extraordinary natural wealth, strategic advantage as the gateway to Southeast Asia and unrivalled economic potential, the eight states of the North East never got the attention that they deserved.

Unwilling to expend serious political capital, successive governments harped on insurgency, difficult terrain, cultural distinctiveness, as excuses for their political apathy. However, winning the public mandate in 2014, the Prime Minister started articulating solutions ingrained in the governance philosophy of Sewa, Sushasan and Gareeb Kalyaan.

Eight years hence, we are seeing visible differences in every aspect and the numbers speak for themselves. Since 2014, militancy incidents have reduced by 74%, deaths of civilians has come down by 84% and with more than an 800% increase in surrenders by extremists, AFSPA has been lifted from some districts for the first time in decades.

With sheer political will and leadership, decades old standoffs are nearing resolution – the Naga Framework Agreement and the tripartite agreement on the rehabilitation of the Bru-Reangs, to name a few. The intent of this government to resolve such long standing issues is clearly visible in the case of the resettlement of Bru-Reangs.

In May 2012, the Government at that time planned for the repatriation of about 669 Reang families but was able to repatriate only 7 Bru families. The UPA Government blamed resistance and misinformation campaign by a section of Bru leaders for this.

On the other hand, in the recently finalised agreement, the Government will provide an assistance of close to Rs.600 crores for the rehabilitation of Reangs, and ensure all-round development of Reangs including providing a plot of land, assisting in the construction of a house, provide rations and access to public welfare schemes of the state and central governments. It is this 360-degree thinking that has allowed the Government to provide compelling solutions.

While ushering in peace, foundations for prosperity were simultaneously laid with massive financial outlays: The North East has seen a huge jump from Rs. 36,108 crores in 2014 to Rs. 76,040 crores in 2022 (110%) in the budgetary support by Government of India. Cumulatively, since 2014, over 3 lakh crores have been spent in the region.

The pinnacle of Sewa to the people of North East has been to impart them the power of mobility and connectivity. In 2014, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya were put up on the railway map for the first time. Before 2014, only Assam’s capital Guwahati was connected.

Today, Arunachal’s Itanagar, Tripura’s Agartala and Manipur have already been connected and remaining 5 capital connectivity projects worth Rs. 45,016 crores are nearing completion. Government of India has also spent over Rs 41,000 crores on road connectivity with over 38,000 kms of rural roads have been completed since 2014 while projects worth 75,000 crores are currently ongoing in the North East.

Today there are 15 new airports in North East, from just 6 in 2014. Making sure that, like the rest of India, aam naagrik of North East also receives help from improved air connectivity, the region is a priority area under the UDAN scheme with 46 operational routes.

The tele-density (number of phones per 100 people), especially rural tele- density, in the Northeast has significantly improved. In April 2014, rural tele- density at 42.68% was below the national average (43.96%). Today, at 61.36%, rural tele-density is above the national average (58.50%). The recent commissioning of 20 Gbps international bandwidth for Northeast through Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh by BSNL, is quantum leap in internet connectivity.

This would not only address the issues of latency and network congestion but will open doors to North East’s potential in becoming leaders in BPO and IT industry with the establishment of software parks and high speed Data centers for business purposes in North Eastern States.

What Next?

Recent Articles

Leave a Reply

Submit Comment

*

Where to buy Vidalista Professional 20 Mg (Tadalafil) tablet