Govt. must do more for north-east people: Oscar Fernandez

New Delhi, May 9 (ANI): A large number of people from the north-east region are staying in different metropolitan cities of the country like Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai in search for better education and career opportunities.

Several people from the north-eastern states coming to these metropolitan cities often complain of discrimination.

Recently, senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes held an interaction with the students, leaders and social activists from the north-east region and enquired whether they were getting fair treatment with regard to water supply, electricity bill, fare rent accommodation and proper sanitation.

"We are aware of the difficulties, which are faced by the north-east people living in the metropolitan cities. Such issues has been going on, when we had our government we were able to take the measures. So, whatever the problems are there, you can bring it to our notice, we'll try to attend to that," said Fernandes.

He gave an assurance to the people from the north-east to find a solution either from the government or the DoNER Ministry.

"I have come here to listen to their problems. We have been able to build a hostel for the girls in the DU, will be having hostels in both the campuses in Delhi. And if I know that there are students interested in going for technical education, we will try to provide them technical education also in Delhi. Housing we are aware of it, we will see through the state governments or from the DoNER Ministry whether we can find some place for rehabilitating them in those areas," he told ANI.

Many people from the north-east expressed their concerns and appealed to the government to look into their concerns and provide them better job opportunities.

"I have been staying in Delhi for the past three years. Living in Delhi has been one of the greatest challenges," said Raingam Zimik, a student.

At the same time, the youngsters from the region want the people from mainland to take a step forward and consider them as one of them.

Also, the people from the north-east have expressed essentials of their voting rights and appealed to the government to extend voting rights to all.

"We also want the government to initiate steps where we can have voting rights here in Delhi," said Leishiwon, who hails from the north-east told ANI.

"As we stay here in metropolitan city, we also feel like that we need security as we are also citizens of India. So, we feel that whatever the government is doing, they should give us a priority, a privilege to be a part of them so that we can work together hand in hand and push our country ahead," Ahibo, who hails from Nagaland, said.