SHILLONG: Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday observed that the northeastern states had the potential to become the country’s “growth engine”, even as he called for fast-tracking of all the development activities in the region and utilisation of central funds for various projects with transparency and accountability.
“If we can expedite all projects here without delay or diversion, the northeastern states have the potential to become the growth engine of the country,” Naidu said. He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the improvement and widening project of the National Highway 40 of the Shillong-Dawki section in Meghalaya’s state capital.
“People should know what is happening... People who are in charge of these programmes should be held accountable. The contractors, engineers, administrators, everybody should be made accountable,” Naidu said.
Noting that “peace is a prerequisite for development”, Naidu voiced happiness that insurgency is coming to an end in the northeastern states.
“What is required is peace, which is a prerequisite for the progress of people, all-round development in education, health, employment opportunities and connectivity, which are vital to the people of northeast.
Because of the fear of guns, many things have been obstructed,” he said. “There is a need to put an end to insurgency, have a dialogue with the militant groups and see that they give up arms and join the peace process,” he added.
“Now we must utilise this peaceful atmosphere and create a proper ecosystem for the development of the state in a fast-track manner,” he emphasised.
Naidu added that there should be “zero tolerance to corruption”, which he said is the “enemy of development” and urged people to take advantage of digital technology. “Everything should be made online, so that there is no need to stand in a queue.
Going and standing in a line to wait for our turn should be totally avoided. Benefits should reach people directly. Whatever benefits the government is giving should go directly into people’s pockets,” Naidu said.
