PTI
GUWAHATI, MAY 27
The Centre has launched an initiative, ‘DONER at the Doorstep’ (DAD), to bring the ministry closer to the people of North East, Union Minister of state (Independent charge) Jitendra Singh said here today.
“This is a major initiative by which the officers of the ministry set up a camp secretariat in one of the eight North Eastern states to redress the grievances of the people of the region,” the minister told reporters here.
The officers interact with elected representatives, members of the civil society and prominent citizens for ground assessment of the projects and redress the grievances and various issues that surface during the interaction.
“The idea is that a person with grievances and issues need not travel to Delhi but the people must understand under this regime, Delhi too can travel to their doorstep to listen to their problems,” the minister said.The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) would also focus on connectivity of the region to ensure business opportunities for unemployed youths as the shortfall of jobs is mainly due to lack of opportunities and higher educational facilities which this government was keen to resolve at the earliest. “We have found that there is a huge psychological barrier and all these years the focus was on bringing North East to the national mainstream but our focus is to bring India closer to the North East,” he added.
Asked about the possibility of setting up mini- secretariats of the DONER ministry set up in the state capitals of the North East, the minister said it was not possible at this stage due to lack of funds and that it would require a legislation in the Parliament.
“As of now, we are trying to do what is within our purview like travelling to the people to address their issues and grievances,” Singh added.
The Minister further pointed out that under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last six months, every fortnight about eight union ministers travel to the North East, with one in each state.
These ministers review the work of their own ministries, interact with the people and learn about their problems.
Terming the DONER ministry as unique, Singh said it acted as a nodal one for other ministries.
During discussions with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the need for the development of the Guwahati airport was raised and the issue will be taken up with the Civil Aviation ministry, Singh added.
It was during this government’s tenure that the first ever flight from Delhi to Nagaland was inaugurated and there are also plans to start similar flights to Mizoram.
The government was also focused on road development in the region and for this purpose a proposal has been mooted to set up a separate road corporation for the North East.
Road development would also include new roads linking hitherto inaccessible areas and widening of existing roads.
Regarding the status of existing projects, the ministry website has been updated and a toll free number has been given and feedback of calls would be monitored.
“We have to be transparent as this government has pledged to be more accountable, accessible, visible and give good governance,” the minister said.
