PM Modi says committed to northeast's welfare; lays foundation of Shillong stadium

Shillong, May 27: The government is committed to the welfare of the northeastern India, especially the women of the region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, May 27 after laying the foundation stone of a new football stadium here.

"The government is committed to the development in the northeast region, the Self Help Groups (SHG), particularly the women SHGs. Keeping this in mind, the government has also approved a special package for the northeast," the prime minister said at the North Eastern Council meeting here.

Modi laid the foundation stone of a football stadium which is being constructed in Shillong at a cost of Rs.38 crore.

"Foundation stone of a football stadium has been laid. This region has a great talent in sports, particularly football. Football is a passion here and it is played in each and every nook and corner of the state and the region," said Modi.

The prime minister also inaugurated passenger train services to Mizoram and Manipur on the newly-laid broad gauge line, and the Kamakhya-Katra weekly train from Assam to Jammu and Kashmir.

He said he wanted to see the northeastern region shine in the organic farming sector.

"I am particularly keen to see the northeast shine in the organic farming sector. Northeast can become the organic food basket of India," said Modi, who is the first prime minister in the last two decades to attend the NEC plenary meeting.

He said the central government's focus on the northeast is manifested in its 'Act East Policy'.

"We want to particularly improve connectivity, infrastructure and tourism," said Modi.

The North Eastern Council (NEC) is the nodal agency for channelising the funds for economic and social development in the region.

The prime minister said Agartala, the capital of Tripura, has become the third international location to be connected to Cox Bazar of Bangladesh, which would further aid the social and ecomomic empowerment of the northeastern region.

IANS