'Govt reaching out to North-East'
8 April 2015 5:24 AM IST
In an interview with Sujit Nath, Singh shared his future plans for the Seven Sister States. Excerpts:
It was often heard that people in NE states are confused of their nationality? What you have to say on this?
This is not only with NE states, but these sentiments are also found in some parts of Kashmir. They were neglected for so many years and now we have a mission to tell them that they are very much a part of India. We need to connect with their hearts and we are confident to do so.
“Rotational Camp Secretariat” for North Eastern states was something, which was never thought before. Please elaborate.
It was introduced in January and meant to convince the people of North-East that for redressal of their grievances, they don’t have to travel to New Delhi. Under the initiative Union Ministers will be visiting North-East, which will help them to make an assessment of the development works and also enable them to gain first-hand inputs from the local population.
“Center for Brahmaputra studies (CBS)” at Guwahati University was something unique. How the idea came and how it is going to help the students?
Soon after the NDA came to power, Prime Minister Modi stressed for a special attention to the NE states. I am here to execute his vision effectively. The CBS is a new stream. I am confident that students and scholars from across the world will soon come to Guwahati for specialised learning and research.
It is a matter of concern that tobacco consumption in NE states is higher? What do you have to say?
We have some campaigns in the pipeline to spread awareness and we will do whatever is required to do for the betterment of people in terms of their health.
What are the challenges people face in NE states and what is your future course of action to tackle them?
The major challenge is connectivity and we are seriously taking steps to improve it. For development, connectivity plays a crucial role and we are having talks with several stakeholders to improve it.
Some your government schemes for NE students was widely appreciated. Can you please highlight some of them?
The “Ishaan Uday”, special scholarship scheme and “Ishaan Vikas”, a scheme to provide apprenticeship facility in IITs, NIITs and NIFTs are a great move. We are making every possible effort for comfortable and safe hostel accommodation for these students in other parts of India.
It was often heard that people in NE states are confused of their nationality? What you have to say on this?
This is not only with NE states, but these sentiments are also found in some parts of Kashmir. They were neglected for so many years and now we have a mission to tell them that they are very much a part of India. We need to connect with their hearts and we are confident to do so.
“Rotational Camp Secretariat” for North Eastern states was something, which was never thought before. Please elaborate.
It was introduced in January and meant to convince the people of North-East that for redressal of their grievances, they don’t have to travel to New Delhi. Under the initiative Union Ministers will be visiting North-East, which will help them to make an assessment of the development works and also enable them to gain first-hand inputs from the local population.
“Center for Brahmaputra studies (CBS)” at Guwahati University was something unique. How the idea came and how it is going to help the students?
Soon after the NDA came to power, Prime Minister Modi stressed for a special attention to the NE states. I am here to execute his vision effectively. The CBS is a new stream. I am confident that students and scholars from across the world will soon come to Guwahati for specialised learning and research.
It is a matter of concern that tobacco consumption in NE states is higher? What do you have to say?
We have some campaigns in the pipeline to spread awareness and we will do whatever is required to do for the betterment of people in terms of their health.
What are the challenges people face in NE states and what is your future course of action to tackle them?
The major challenge is connectivity and we are seriously taking steps to improve it. For development, connectivity plays a crucial role and we are having talks with several stakeholders to improve it.
Some your government schemes for NE students was widely appreciated. Can you please highlight some of them?
The “Ishaan Uday”, special scholarship scheme and “Ishaan Vikas”, a scheme to provide apprenticeship facility in IITs, NIITs and NIFTs are a great move. We are making every possible effort for comfortable and safe hostel accommodation for these students in other parts of India.
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