GUWAHATI, May 25 – The Federation of Industries and Commerce of the North Eastern Region (FINER) today demanded that the office of the Department for Development of the North Eastern Region (DONER) should be shifted to the region. The FINER congratulated PR Kyndiah for assuming the charge of the DONER and hoped that as the seasoned political leader from Meghalaya is well versed with the problems of the region, he would be able to ensure development of this backward region of the country. The FINER called upon the Minister to take immediate steps to shift the office of the DONER to the NE region for the benefit of the region. Justifying the demand for shifting of the office of the DONER, secretary of FINER Prasanta Goswami pointed out that it is difficult for the people of the region to visit Delhi with proposals and that the DONER would be able to go a much better job if the office is located in the region.
The FINER secretary further said that the DONER, under the leadership of Kyndiah, would be able to ensure proper utilisation of the funds available with the Department. He expressed the view that over the years, the DONER organised business summits in the metropolitan cities of the country to attract investors to the region but the DONER should try to hold such seminars in the region itself so that the potential investors know about the scenario in the region.
He said that the investors always get a wrong signal about the security problems in the region, and if they are brought here they would know the reality, and in that way it would be easier to attract investors to invest in the region. The FINER is also of the view that the DONER should give stress on the development of tourism, food processing and agro-based industries for the economic development of the region and that steps should be taken to improve the communication network.
Goswami said that the trade routes to the South East Asian countries should be reopened and immediate steps should be taken to improve the surface, waterways and air connectivity to the region. He expressed the hope that Kyndiah, being a senior political leader from the region, would have no difficulty in doing whatever is best for the region.