OREANDA-NEWS. The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced Rs 325 crore worth projects for Northeast, out of which Rs 200 crore will be meant for projects in the State of Assam and Rs. 125 crore for "Organic Farming Mission" for the entire North-Eastern region. He was addressing a mammoth public rally organized in Guwahati today on the occasion of completion of one year of Narendra Modi government.

Earlier, addressing a press conference soon after his meeting with Assam Chief Minister, Shri Tarun Gogoi, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, some of the projects got stuck up for certain reasons, but moving the Ministry on a fast track, these projects have been once again revived and the work will begin very soon. The main feature of the projects for the State of Assam, he said, would be that they are primarily based on the priority and the preference given by the State Government of Assam and therefore, the State will not have any reason to complain that it was not taken into confidence by the Union Government while deciding on the projects. This is also a part of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s belief in “cooperative federalism”, which envisages involvement of the State Governments regardless of whichever be the ruling party there, he added.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also disclosed that he had assured CM Shri Tarun Gogoi that the work on the multilevel car parking complex in the heart of Guwahati and construction of Assam Management Institute building will expedited by the DoNER Ministry.

When asked about the nature of projects, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, mostly the DoNER projects for Assam as endorsed by the State Government are related to construction of widening of roads and upgradation or establishment of the water supply schemes.

As far as organic farming is concerned, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, this is one of the ambitious projects undertaken by DoNER Ministry in the last few months and it will be a distinct feature of our “Make in Northeast” plan which is an expansion of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” vision. He informed that a concept paper has been prepared on the subject which is in circulation among various Ministries in Government of India for their inputs and suggestions. Once this process is completed, the concept paper will then be brought before the Union Cabinet, he added. The various specific products to be taken up under organic farming will be determined by the requirement and feasibility, but most likely in the initial phase, the focus will be on fruits and large cardamom.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also called on Assam Governor, Shri P.B. Acharya, who has a long experience study about North-Eastern region. The DoNER Ministry and Governor discussed various aspects relating to the current political situation in the State and the emerging social scenario in the region.