State's progress dependent on Centre's patronage
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: August 20, 2022 -
MANY people settling in the outlying districts, especially those along the border belt, would like to believe that defence minister Rajnath Singh's statement: "We have connected the remote areas with the mainland by providing connectivity" wasn't intended to only draw loud cheers from the packed Khuman Lampak Main Stadium to his speech during the inaugural match of the Imphal edition of the Durand Cup but also underscored firm resolve of the Union government to actually accelerate infrastructure development in the underdeveloped parts of the country.
There is no doubt about differences between the earlier governments and the present regime when it comes to implementation of developmental activities in the northeast region as the latter has been making it a point to periodically update on the centrally-sponsored projects either through review meetings chaired by the Union ministers or despatching officials of ministry concerned to make spot inspection of the project sites, thereby compelling the state government to do the needful.
All these initiatives under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonstrate that the present government at the centre has firm resolve to neutralise the age-old perception that New Delhi has no interest in the development of the northeast region.
In fact, the BJP-led government has been fairly successful in impressing upon the northeast denizens that better days are ahead as could be comprehended from the massive mandate given to the saffron party in the last two assembly elections or its NEDA allies heading the regional governments.
The Modi-led government also deserves all credit for return of peace in the region, which used to be infamous for socio-political strife not to speak of the insurgency movement.
Unarguably, special emphasis is being given towards infrastructural development in the region with the Union government ensuring generous funding for all viable projects.
However, the commoners would definitely wish that the semblance of peace prevailing in the northeast is commensurate with the pace of development in infrastructure and economy, two crucial indexes for progression of any state.
As protracted turmoil was often cited by the political class as the main impediment in the region's development bringing peace remains the biggest achievement of the present government, which even its harshest critics must accept.
However, when it comes to economic development there are still many sectors that lag far behind. For instance, in Manipur, with exception of producing excellent sportspersons, there is not much towrite about health, transport and agriculture.
Fragility of the healthcare system in the state was laid bare when the coronavirus pandemic broke out while the transport network in the interior areas remains incompatible to the requirement for transportation of goods and human with the agriculture sector still dependent on the seasonal rainfall.
Thus, without any notable changes in these vital sectors that could fuel the economy it would be hard to believe that the state is actually moving forward.
Nevertheless, it is hoped that with increasing frequency of visits by the central leaders Manipur would receive due attention and lead to financial footfall that could help the state scale newer heights of success not only in the sporting arena but also in the developmental index as well.
For a state like Manipur which is geographically isolated, has unfriendly terrain, is financially backward and bereft of infrastructure, generosity of the Union government will ultimately decide the fate of its people.
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