NEW DELHI, June 18 — Asserting that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre was concerned with the growth of extremist violence and other forms of terrorist activities, Minister DONER, PR Kyndiah offered his assistance in resolving the problem of militancy in the North-East.
Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of the Conference of Chief Secretaries and Vice Chancellors (VCs), the Minister said that he could play the role of a catalyst as the main initiative would have to be taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs. But he added that the problem of militancy was not merely a law and order problem, but a far deeper socio-economic issue, which would be addressed more meaningfully than has been the case so far. False encounters will not be permitted, he asserted.
The UPA Government, he assured was determined to tackle militancy and insurgency in the North-East as a matter of urgent national priority. North East will be given special assistance to upgrade and expand infrastructure, he added. The Minister also advocated opening of the international borders with neighbouring countries maintaining trade and commerce and encourage track-II diplomacy. It is matter of concern, he said that regional imbalance have been accentuated by not just historical neglect but also by distortions in plan allocations of Central Government assistance. The UPA Government will consider the creation of Backward States Grant that will be used to create productive assets in these States, he said.
About the North Eastern Council (NEC) the Minister disclosed that the Revitalisation Committee which is likely to submit its report shortly would be crucial input for restructuring NEC. In this context, efforts would be made to complete the long-standing projects of NEC within the 10th plan period and to take a quantum jump out of the past legacy for accelerated development of North East, he said. The Minister claimed that the DONER has started a new initiative of international co-operation for development of NE by bringing more externally aided projects to the Region. The resources flow as well as the management quality will improve in the North-East, he added.
In the education sector in the North-East, Kyndiah said that he discovered that Ministry of HRD in the past was not spending 10 per cent of its mandatory allocation on NE in the elementary education sector. “I am glad to note that the new HRD Minister has declared that they will adhere to 10 per cent of the allocation.
The Ministry has taken up 49 schemes in education sector in the past five years with a proposed outlay of Rs 45.85 crore. Schools, colleges and universities in the North-East are languishing for lack of funds and therefore, we would like to give renewed emphasis to HRD, which is an important key to development,” he assured.
Addressing the meeting, Secretary DONER, Reva Nayyar said that the conference would focus in details the policy initiatives enumerated in the CMP relating to the NE and strategy to implement it. Emphasis would be on development of the Education sector in the region, utilisation of funds for the projects and also monitor and evaluation of various projects funded under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), he said.