'Government working on Bezbarauh panel suggestions on northeast'

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju Friday said the government was on the job to get the recommendations of the Bezbaruah Committee implemented.

"The committee itself has said that its recommendation will take time when it comes to proper implementation. However, we are on the job and will make sure these are properly implemented by all state governments," Rijiju said at the inaugural ceremony of four-day North East festival here.

The Bezbarauh Committee was formed by the government to address issues of northeast people after a 19-year-old boy Nido Tania was beaten to death in a market in the heart of capital.

Stating that the northeastern states deserve better attention, Rijiju, however, sent out a strong message to the chief ministers of the states to not beg for money from the Centre.

"The states should not beg for money but should perform. There is corruption at the political and bureaucratic level in the states so the chief ministers should try removing it," he added.

Rijiju also urged the people of the state to not give personal fights racial colour.

Also present at the festival was Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of Northeast Region V.K. Singh, a former army chief, who hoped that such festival will help bring larger awareness about northeast.

The ministers felicitated medal winning athletes from the northeast who brought laurels to the country during the recent Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Showcasing music, dance, food, exhibition of art, photography, cartoon, film festival with the theme "Insurgence to Resurgence", the second edition of North East Festival is being held at Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, central Delhi.