GUWAHATI, SEPT 14 ; We shall always look forward to the development of all North Eastern states of the country. Terming the Act East policy of central government as one of the most important aspect of development led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy said while chairing the meeting of Ministers of Tourism and cultural affairs of NorthEast Region with officers and stakeholders conference on Sept 13 & 14 said that the country will developed fully if North East is developed.
Reddy said that the central government has increased the budget of NE state to many fold in comparison to 2012-13 and funds have also been utilized even during the pandemic the work has been carried forward. Reddy said.
For investment for “ Oil palm production “ in the region fifty % of the fund has been marked for NE state. The tourism destination planned in respective states keeping in view with aspect to connectivity through road, air, rail and waterway along with availability of water supply, internet facility, hotel and other accommodation, way side amenities toilets and other things has to be taken into consideration. he ask the gathering to take support and suggestion of various department associated for development of infrastructure for development of tourism and economic development and employment opportunity. He said.
We should plan the tourist promotion keeping in view the employment opportunities and association of youths and local educated youths and entrepreneurs for improving vocals for locals. He assured to provide skill development training facility for tourist guides subject to state requirement and proposal. He said.
We should organize a North East sport festival and the central government has approved for establishment of Sport University at Imphal in Manipur and the said university once come up would provide several opportunities to the youths of the region. He said.
MoS Cultural Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal speaking to press said that we all need to work together for development of tourism keeping in employment opportunities and economic development of tribal communities of states of the region. The North East region is our priority area and we will work for its development. He said.
We are reviewing several projects of the region and discussed for the better coordination of several line departments including the DoNER. our government will emphasize to promote the art, songs, festivals and folk dances of various tribes of the region. He added.
Union Minister of State for Tourism and Defence Ajay Bhatt said that we will see that the North East region developed and have reviewed almost all the tourism related projects and also discussed how it is completed in time and it is put to use, directions have been issued to all the officers of central and state government.
Since I am looking after Defence also and I have a plan to visit the under construction tunnel in Tawang district in October, I will also see that the MoD can do better for the development of the border area and its people. Bhatt added.
Union Tourism Secretary Arbind Singh said that whatever project which has been completed should be leased out to the private party but priority should be given to the local educated youths and local entrepreneurs so that employment opportunity to the locals also takes place which shall help in economic development and sustainability. Proper signage should be erected and displayed in front of all the completed projects. Some state has submitted a project for Swedesh darshan but due to change of guidelines it has been delayed and again the state govt has to resend it as per the new guidelines which would come out soon. He said.
He further requested the officers to visit all the under construction projects and supervise so that all the project work takes place smoothly with a quality.
Discussion on several issues takes place and the senior officers from various departments clear the doubt of respective state governments. The schemes which were discussed are Improvement of mobile and internet connectivity, enhancing air, road and rail connectivity, swadesh darshan, Prashad scheme, capacity building programme and human resource development projects, management operation and safety standard of adventure sports, digital promotion and marketing for travel & tourism industry.
Additional Director General, MoT Rupinder Brar, Joint Secretary MoT Rakesh Kumar Verma, IHM Principal Guwahati Dr, Amitabh Dey, North Eastern states on management and operation of adventure sports Executive Member Nirat Bhatt, secretary/Commissioner/Director, Project heads, senior officer of Tourism and cultural affairs department and representatives of various tour operators association from all eight states of region attended the two days conferences.
Various schemes of Arunachal Pradesh were also discussed which include Parsuram Kund development project, several project under swadesh darshan, construction of Trans Arunachal Highway, operation of Pasighat and Tezu airport and connectivity with rest of country, survey of frontier highway, Murkongselek-Pasighat rail line, future expansion of rail link to Tawang and Tezu etc
