‘DoNer will not be dissolved’

PM assures NESO delegation that DoNER will  continue to function as a separate ministry

DIMAPUR, MAY 8 (MExN): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) will not be dissolved, but will continue to function as a separate ministry.

The prime minister’s assurance comes against the backdrop of a recent recommendation of a parliamentary panel for dissolution of the ministry and placing it under the Prime Minister’s Office.

A 10-member NESO delegation called on the prime minister at his office chamber in the national capital Wednesday afternoon and apprised the latter on the need to not only continue with the DoNER ministry but also “restructuring” of the only ministry set up exclusively for development of the North East Region.

The delegation comprising of members from all seven NE states in a representation to the prime minister urged the latter to restructure the DoNER ministry and also enhance its budget for speedy development of the region.

When contacted, NESO Publicity Secretary, Kapani Krichena told The Morung Express that the meeting with Manmohan Singh lasted twenty minutes during which time he gave a patient hearing to other demands in the representation.

On NESO’s demand for removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the whole of the North East Region, the prime minister reportedly replied that “everyone wants situation to improve in the North East” and that the army was there because of the situation. 

Singh however said that if the NE people really don’t want the presence of armed forces, then the issue would be taken up at the appropriate level, NESO publicity secretary said.

NESO in the representation also pressed for revamping and development of educational infrastructure in the North East and to make ‘Flood’ in the NE states a national problem and not the concern of respective states. The delegation is likely to meet Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi and BJP leader, Sushma Swaraj on Thursday to submit the same representation. Besides the NESO chairman and Secretary General, the delegation consists of NESO Advisor, Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya and senior member, Artax Shimray.
 

 



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