Assam CM Advocates 'Geographic Equity' for Balanced National Growth

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stressed the need for a development framework focusing on 'Geographic Equity' to ensure balanced national growth. He highlighted improvements in North East India's infrastructure, attracting investments, and urged policy revisions to address regional geographic challenges and integrate the youth into emerging sectors.

In a recent assembly of Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries from the North Eastern states, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called for the implementation of a new development framework based on 'Geographic Equity'. This was during NITI Aayog's interaction held in the national capital, where Sarma emphasized that India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision should aim to extend economic growth to all regions.

Sarma underscored that while the initial phases of the nation's transformation have focused on rapid economic acceleration, the future should steer towards expanding the geographical scope of development. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for repositioning the North East from the peripheries of discussion to a central player in national strategy, highlighting strides in infrastructure, peace processes, and the Act East Policy.

Despite witnessing an uptick in investor interest and sectoral investments, Sarma acknowledged geographic constraints that inhibit Assam and its neighboring states. He argued that special policy focus is crucial to tackle these challenges, unveiling the principle of 'Geographic Equity'. This approach, he suggested, could mitigate regional inequalities and bolster national economic integration. Sarma expressed confidence in Assam's role as a transformative hub linked to a broader Asian market.