Budget allocation for NE dismal: NEC Secretary

SHILLONG: Newly appointed Secretary of North Eastern Council (NEC) on Thursday expressed his reservations over the meager budget allocation of Rs.773 crore for the Council.
Speaking to media persons after taking over as the NEC Secretary,  Muivah said that the amount was too modest since NEC comprises of eight North Eastern states.
“We have a population of 40 million; how can we develop big projects with a small amount,” he said, adding that big projects costs around Rs.1000 crore.
Stating that NEC is keen to develop the region, he said that he will urge the governors and chief ministers of all the North Eastern states to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, so that the allocated amount is increased.
He further said that NEC will implement allocation of the budget in a proper and transparent manner before the end of the current financial year.
Muivah stressed that NEC should be strengthened and extended with zero tolerance of corruption. He further added that the basic problem of North East is deficit infrastructure and there is a need for massive investment and development in the region.
“We need four lane roads, high speed railways, safe drinking water and medical facilities,” he said.
It may be mentioned that Ram Muivah belongs to the IAS 1985 batch and had previously worked in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Urban Development as Director and later as Joint Secretary.