Centre strengthening relations with south-east countries to develop NE region: Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the Centre is strengthening connections with south-east countries in a bid to develop the Northeastern regions.

Addressing the media at 67th Plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, the Union Minister said that the government wants to ensure the upliftment of the Northeastern region.

"Our Government wants to ensure delivery of socio-economic prosperity in the Northeastern region; we are strengthening connections with south-east countries that will help in the upliftment of this region," Singh said.

The Union Home Minister also said that the NEC and state governments will have to ensure completion of ongoing projects in Meghalaya in a time bound manner.

"The NEC and state governments will have to ensure completion of ongoing projects in a time bound manner. We also need to ensure maximum utilisation of funds in order to enable the NEC to approach the Ministry of Finance for additional funds," he said.

Singh chaired a two-day plenary meeting of NEC today at the State Convention Centre in Shillong.

Rajnath Singh was greeted by Meghalaya Home Minister James K Sangma on his arrival at an advanced landing ground in Upper Shillong.

This was the first time a Union Home Minister presided over the plenary meet of the council.