DoNER Ministry organizes a workshop on the changing role of North Eastern Council in the development of North Eastern Region in Shillong

Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Culture and Tourism, G Kishan Reddy paid a two-day official visit to the states of Meghalaya and Assam. As a part of his Meghalaya visit, the Union Minister reviewed several development works and ongoing projects of the North Eastern Council (NEC) and Northeast Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS). He took part in a review meeting held at the North Eastern Council Secretariat in Shillong, Meghalaya along with Minister of State for Donor Ministry BL Verma, Secretary Ministry of DoNER Lok Ranjan, Secretary Northeast Council Musa Chalai and other officials and dignitaries. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy also participated in a workshop titled Changing Role of North Eastern Council in the Development of North Eastern Region organized at the Conference Hall of North Eastern Council, Shillong. Hon’ble Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu was the chief guest of this program. Governor Satya Pal Malik, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Minister of State in the Ministry of DoNER BL Verma, Secretary in the Ministry of DoNER Lok Ranjan, Secretary NEC Musa Chalai and other dignitaries from the North Eastern States, academic fraternity and other officials were also present at the event. During his address, G Kishan Reddy, on behalf of the donor ministry, thanked Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who took time out from his busy schedule and constitutional responsibilities to visit Ashtalakshmi states for a full week. G Kishan Reddy said, Sir, it is a matter of great pleasure that you are with us and your passion for being with the people makes you one of the most active Vice Presidents this country has ever seen. Even as a cabinet minister, you have always worked for the development of the North-East region. The Union Minister said that in 2016 he participated in the meetings of the North Eastern Council and he addressed the 65th plenary session and was the first Prime Minister to do so in the last 40 years. During his address, G Kishan Reddy also emphasized on the initiatives taken by the Government to enhance infrastructure and connectivity through better roads, railways and air routes in the Northeast. He said, as a part of Rajdhani Rail Connectivity Project, the cities of 3 North Eastern States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura have already been connected to the main network of Indian Railways. Work is going on to connect the remaining 5 capitals. As a part of air connectivity, 2 major greenfield air connectivity projects are also being taken up in the North Eastern Region. The Union Minister also told about the agricultural works being given by the government in NER. He said, the two recent decisions taken by the Cabinet, National Mission on Edible Oils for Oil Palm and the revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), will give a huge boost to the agriculture sector in the Northeast. G Kishan Reddy also appreciated the efforts of the North Eastern Council and said that in the 50 years of its existence, the North Eastern Council has played an important role in the development of NER. NER has taken rapid steps to realize the vision of Narendra Modi ji. So today’s workshop is an important event for all of us. We will shape the changing role of NEC according to the aspirations of the North Eastern Region.

The Union Minister along with Hon’ble Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu, Governor Satya Pal Malik and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma also participated in a cultural program showcasing the traditions, culture and folklore of Meghalaya at Raj Bhavan, Shillong.