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CM seeks central intervention for better ties with Bangladesh, says DoNER activities frustrating
TIWN
CM seeks central intervention for better ties with Bangladesh, says DoNER activities frustrating
PHOTO : DoNER Minister Retd Gen V.K.Singh speaking to reporters at Guwahati. (Inset: Manik Sarkar)TIWN

AGARTALA, August 21 (TIWN): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar today stressed on developing ties with Bangladesh for development of the NER states at the meeting of NE chief ministers with minister for DoNER General (Retd) VK Singh and said that the DoNER had frustrated and belied the expectations of the region during the last decade.

Chief Minister Sarkar requested the central government’s intervention to pursue the Government of Bangladesh to take necessary action and Railway Ministry may take up construction work with highest priority.He reiterated the need for transit and transshipment facility including road, rail and waterways connection through Bangladesh to Northeast and Eastern India. He asked for government intervention to persuade the Bangladesh government for allowing multi model transportation of goods through Bangladesh with Ashuganj as the port of call including related infrastructure development.

Sarkar today reiterated his demand to sell of 100 MW power from the allocated capacity of Tripura to Bangladesh and develop transmission facilities for wheeling out power from the ONTC powered Palatana thermal power plant to western side of Bangladesh.

DONER meering in progress at Guwahati. TIWN Pic August 21

 

He stressed on alternate telecom routing and internet connectivity through Akhaura and Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh to Agartala to develop telecommunication facilities in the region.

He requested DoNER minister General Singh to raise the cap of financial powers of the North Eastern Council (NEC) for sanction of projects from Rs. 15 crores to Rs. 50 crore, if not more. “Unless adequate financial powers are delegated to the NEC, the very purpose of creating an autonomous body for the region would be defeated”, he said.

He said that allocation of funds to various states of the NE region by NEC wasn’t equitable and said that Tripura, being the second largest state in terms of population, deserved higher allocation. “NEC needs to be strengthened to play vital role in development of the region; budget allocations for the NEC need to be enhanced and organizationally strengthened”, he added.

The budget estimate for central plan schemes during the financial year 2014-2015 is Rs. 328467 crore. The budget allocation for the Non Lapsable Pool of Central Resources (NLCPR) and North Eastern Council (NEC) is Rs. 1,720 crore which is 0.52 percent. Referring to the issue, Chief Minister Sarkar suggested to raise financial liability for completing the ongoing projects.

The CM today came out in stark criticism of the working dynamics of the DoNER and said that the ministry couldn’t made any significant contribution to the NE region in the last one decade.

Chief Ministers of the NE region had earlier met the first Prime Minister of NDA Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his stint in the PMO and requested to set up a special cell for development of NER states following which the DoNER was established in 2001. It was accorded the status of a full fledged ministry in May, 2004.

 

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