Shillong: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday used a football metaphor to describe how the government has eliminated corruption and project delays in the northeast. "We have shown Red Card to corruption in the north-east", he said adding obstacles such as corruption, discrimination, violence and vote bank politics were removed.
Addressing a public meeting on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the North East Council (NEC) here, he also said that improved air connectivity provided to the region has been helping export of agricultural produce, benefiting farmers. "Earlier, attempts were made to divide NE. Now, we are removing these divisions," Modi said at the meeting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here on Sunday morning, attended the golden jubilee celebrations of Northeastern Council at the State Convention Centre here, along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several other ministers and dignitaries. Modi, on the occasion, released 'Golden Footprints', a commemorative volume chronicling NEC's contribution towards the development of the northeast over the last 50 years, according to an official statement.
A short film on NEC's journey of 50 years was also screened on the occasion, the statement said. Apart from the PM, Shah and G Kishan Reddy, the Union minister for culture, tourism and development of north-eastern region (DoNER), addressed the session.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone for multiple projects. Among the projects inaugurated, one is the sprawling campus of the IIM-Shillong at the New Shillong Township. PM Modi is slated to travel to Agartala later in the day where he will attend a public function where he will inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stone of various key initiatives worth over Rs. 4350 crore.
A significant focus of the Prime Minister has been towards ensuring that everyone has a house of their own. Prime Minister will launch the Grih Pravesh programme for beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Rural. These houses, developed at a cost of over Rs 3400 crore will cover over 2 lakh beneficiaries.
With a focus on improving road connectivity, Prime Minister will inaugurate the project for widening of Agartala bypass (Khayerpur - Amtali) NH-08, which will help ease traffic congestion in Agartala city. He will also lay the foundation stones for 32 roads of more than 230 km length under PMGSY III (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) and for the improvement of 112 roads covering a distance of over 540 km. Prime Minister will also inaugurate the State Institute of Hotel Management at Anandnagar and Agartala Government Dental College.
