Ministry should set up R&D Centre for medicinal plants in Karbi, Dimasa Bhawan: Shah

He was addressing at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Karbi Bhawan and Dimasa Bhawan of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Diphu and North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, Haflong, at Dwarka, here today.

The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that overall development of North East region is the priority of the Government. He said that the country is proud of its culture and the aim is to take forward North East while preserving its rich cultural identity, along with its development. The development of the region has curbed terrorism and brought peace in the region. He was addressing at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Karbi Bhawan and Dimasa Bhawan of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Diphu and North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, Haflong, at Dwarka, here today.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given maximum time to the people of North East for their development. After 40 years of a visit by Shri Morarji Desai, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the North Eastern Council (NEC) meeting in Shillong, as Prime Minister. He added that North East region lagged behind in development for many years, which gained momentum after the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi took charge. The northeast is now well connected via roads, rail and air, he said. Shri Amit Shah said that this change is due to the love and respect for the North East in the heart of our Prime Minister. He said that the practice of Central Ministers visiting North Eastern states every 15 days has been adopted by the Government, where they see the implementation of Central schemes on the ground.

Speaking about the enhanced fund allocation for Northeast, Shri Shah said that there has been 258 % rise in the funds allocated for North East between 13th and 14th Finance Commissions, with the amount rising from Rs 87,000 crore to Rs 3,13,375 crore. He mentioned about various schemes for Northeast such as Skill Development centre, setting up of Medical College and  Law College, among others. He further said that DoNER Ministry has started work for setting up of 'Bamboo Industrial Park' in Assam. Emphasizing on the rich flora and medicinal value of plants of NE, the Home Minister said that the DoNER Ministry should set up a Research and Development Centre for medicinal plants in this Bhawan, which will help in exploring the potential of these values.

Speaking about the Karbi Bhawan and Dimasa Bhawan, Shri Shah said that these two bhawans will be constructed with a cost of Rs 130 crore and they will give an identity to their unique culture on the world map. He said that with this initiative, a long-pending work which was initiated in the year 2011, has now been completed. He added that these bhawans will help youth from North East to understand the world which will enable them to compete with the world. The Union Home Minister said that this is the responsibility of the Government to take the development schemes to the tribal population of the country. The aim of the Government is overall development, prosperity, and peace in the North East.

The MoS (DoNER) Dr. Jitendra Singh congratulated the people of North East on the occasion. He said that the work which has been pending for years has now been completed with the foundation stone laying by the Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah today. The Minister said that the land for the bhawans was transferred by DDA in June this year. Speaking about the initiatives taken by the Government in the last five years, the Minister said that the focus of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, after taking charge in 2014, was to develop the hitherto neglected areas and bring them at par with other regions.

Dr. Singh said that the Prime Minister has paid more than 30 visits to the North East in the last five years, which reflects the importance given by him to the North East and his commitment for its development. In 2016, the PM himself chaired a meeting of NEC in Shillong, he said. The minister said that the focus has been not to bring North East closer to rest of India, but to bring rest of India closer to North East. He added that the decision was taken to set up a ‘camp secretariat’ every month in North East and this initiative was named 'DoNER at doorsteps'. He also spoke about the North East road sector development scheme and train connectivity. He also mentioned about the Sikkim Airport. He said that a venture fund has been created by DoNER Ministry for the benefit of start-ups in Northeast, where youth can utilize their entrepreneurship skills. The DoNER Minister said that North-east will soon become a favorite destination and role model for whole India.

The Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Sarbanada Sonowal, the Assam Finance Minister, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, MPs & MLAs and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

(With Inputs from PIB)