The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has announced the launch of, “Hill Area Development Programme” (HADP) for Northeast in Imphal, (Manipur).
Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing a meet of Investors and Entrepreneurs, organised by NEDFi (North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd), with joint participation of the Union Ministry of DoNER and the Government of Manipur represented by Chief Minister, Shri N Biren Singh and other senior State functionaries. Secretary NEC Shri Ram Muivah and a large number of prominent prospective entrepreneurs were present on the occasion.
Elaborating on the new scheme, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the hilly areas of Manipur, Tripura and Assam have a distinct geo-physical entity and are lagging in socio-economic development. “As a result of peculiar topography, there is a wide gap between the hill and valley districts in terms of infrastructure, quality of roads, health and education etc. The Hill Development Programme is inspired with a serious research and deliberation of all these factors.”
As far as the state of Manipur is concerned, Dr Jitendra Singh observed that hill areas are less developed compared to the plain areas. Figures were cited that pointed out that 80 districts of Northeast, 3 districts of hilly areas, which ranked lowest in the composite district infrastructure index, belonged to Manipur and these were namely, Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachandpur.
The Hill Area Development Programme, Dr Jitendra Singh said, is aimed at giving a focused attention to the lesser developed hilly areas and will be initiated on a pilot basis in the hilly districts of Manipur.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the hallmark of the 3 years of Union Government is that it has not only put the Northeast on the fast track of development, but has also undertaken development initiatives which should have been undertaken several decades ago.
