Panchayat system in VI Schedule Areas will boost economy: Guv

Assam Governor P B Acharya today stressed the need for introduction of Panchayati Raj System in the Sixth Schedule Areas which he believes will provide a boost to local economy and strengthen democratic edifice in such areas.
Speaking at the two-day 65th Plenary of North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, the Governor called for optimum utilisation of mobilising women groups, self help groups and other units for channelising their energy for social transformation at the grassroots level.
The region's natural resources, bio diversities, unique and diverse demographic profile and its proximity with South East Asian nations call for a concerted effort towards its development and NEC, which has been mandated to bolster its development, can play a lead role in this regard, an official release here said quoting Acharya.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said Assam being the largest state in the north east region and gateway to all NE states, always remains at the forefront of all regional initiatives.
He said Assam with 30 per cent land area and 68 per cent of total population of the region, supports enhancement of the allocation for NEC and a rational distribution of funds among the states of the region.
Sonowal exhorted all states of the region to have a collective endeavour to secure additional funds for their development, the release said.

Stating that though remoteness of the NER was considered as a big hindrance for development, Sonowal said an extensive use of Digital India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet programme, can go a long way in addressing the problem.

Theanking the Prime Minister for asking his Council of Ministers to visit north east at least once every fortnight, Sonowal said the gesture by Modi shows his commitment to the development of the region.
Calling for the "right mix" of human and natural resources
to bring optimum level of development in Assam, the Chief Minister expressed his government's commitment to simultaneous development of the Brahmaputra and Barak Valleys and the two Hill Districts of the state.
Sonowal said since pressure on land was increasing phenomenally, it was becoming difficult for the states to make available government land. He said the NEC should allow incorporating land cost in the DPR (detailed project report) for acquiring land for certain categories of projects, the release said.

All Chief Ministers of North East should also act in unison for preserving and judiciously harnessing its rich bio-diversity for bolstering region's development, he said and requested to concede special treatment for the region to expedite its economic growth.
Under the leadership of the Prime Minister and his pet programmes like Make in India and Digital India, North East should be in a position to reap the dividends of 'Acche Din', Sonowal added.
The two-day Plenary concluded today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the meeting as Chief Guest.
Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh, Governors and Chief Ministers of all north eastern states were present at the Plenary.