Fund implementation in NE not satisfactory: Par panel

Shillong, Feb 13 (PTI) Despite fund flow from theCentre, implementation in the Northeast is not satisfactory, aParliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism andCulture has observed.

"While funds are being sanctioned, the implementationis not satisfactory as we would expect it to be," thecommittee''s chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury saidhere last night.

The committee, comprising 11 MPs headed by Yechury,was in Shillong where they held review meetings and wouldlater come up with recommendations to enhance the connectivityand tourism scenario in the region.

They had visited Assam and Mizoram and would bevisiting Tripura next.

"The visit is a study to know as to how to develop thetourism scenario in the region and examine and tap thepotentialities of the region. The tourism sector is notgrowing as it should be," Yechury said underlining theeconomic benefits the sector can give to the region.

On the poor implementation of funds in NE, Yechurysaid, "There are some concrete problems. Firstly, you have asix-month working season in the region due to bad weather,while the rest of India has 12 months. Then there are problemsof connectivity".

He said the richness of diversity of the region isintegral for the evolution of India.

The committee, which held meetings with variousagencies like NHAI, ASI, BRO, Pavan Hans, etc, will seek toaddress the issues plaguing the region.

It will prepare a report and submit to the Parliament,Yechury said adding that the Centre has assured that it wouldbe liberal in sanctioning projects proposed by the stategovernments.

Yechury suggested that tourism ministers of thenorth-eastern region should have better coordination so thattourist circuits can be evolved to boost the sector.

"No tourists come to the region to visit one state. Wehave to have coordination among all the states," he said. PTIRTJ NIK