Northeast MPs will revive its exclusive forum to pursue ‘common issues’ — Manipur LS MP

Our Correspondent

Imphal, July 15 (EMN): Members of Parliament from north-eastern states will revive its exclusive forum to pursue the “common issues” pertaining to development of the region, said Manipur Lok Sabha MP Dr. RK Ranjan Singh on Monday.

In his maiden media interaction after being elected as an MP from Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency, Singh said the MPs of the north-eastern states across the party line discuss to revive the Northeast MPs forum and jointly proposed for the development of the region to government of India particularly under North Eastern Council (NEC) and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry.

Informing that the matter was discussed in a recent reception programme by former officer bearers of the forum, the MP said that they has proposed to sanction some amount suggested by the MPs of different constituencies of the region.

Subsequently, he said the DoNER Minister Dr. Jitendra convened a meeting of MPs of the north-eastern states recently and discussed the matter and to ventilate it.

The purpose of the meeting was to brief the MPs about the ongoing schemes and future plans of the government in the region.

In the meeting which was attended by 22 Lok Sabha MPs and 13 Rajya Sabha MP were briefed about the NEC, which focuses on improving connectivity of the region and which has been a major bottleneck for all developmental activities.

Secretary of DoNER Dr Inder Jit Singh, NEC Secretary Ram Muivah and other senior officers of the Ministry were present during the meeting.

Singh also informed that he had urged the Railway Ministry to extend the Jiribam-Imphal railway project to Moreh and connect the Myanmar railway networks under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy and sanctioned the required fund during the current budget session.

He said the total amount for the rail project has been raised to INR 10,000 crore from INR 3000.

“Prime Minister advised us to conduct 150 public rallies from October 2 to January 30 next year as a mark to Gandhiji’s 150th birthday this year,giving awareness on water conservation and convey the government schemes through media regularly,” he added.