Pay attention to NE infrastructure: Experts

Agartala, Nov 22 (UNI) A draft report on 'Vision 2020' for North East development has revealed that growth in the region was much lower than the national average and asked to pay more attention on infrastructure.

Quoting the report, Tripura University vice-chancellor and noted economist Arunoday Saha here today said there was a huge gap between the progress in mainland India and NE region.

''Except Assam and Tripura, other states of the region have shown slow progress,''Prof Saha said adding that infrastructural development is necessary in the region.

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was entrusted with the task of preparing the draft 'Vision 2020' document to Delhi-based National Institute of Public Finance and Policy in consultation with the regional experts.

According to NEC officials, the draft report was in the final stage of publication, which had been prepared based on an earlier study undertaken through nearly 40,000 respondents in the NE.

Vision 2020 would have a time-frame covering the 11th and 12th Five Year Plans and the first three years of the 13th Plan, officials added.

UNI