Imphal, June 17 2009: Minister of State, Rural Development, Ms Agatha Sangma today said her ministry will give first priority in lifting the backward areas of the north eastern Region so that the areas could be given light of development.

Speaking as chief guest at the concluding function of the week long observance of the 11th foundation day of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) held at GM Hall here today, Ms Agatha opined, the North Eastern Region is a place where different communities inhabit together but remains much backward when compared to the mainland of the country.

She said that she was satisfied with her being inducted in the Council of Ministers of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and subsequent handing over of the responsibility to look after the rural areas and make up the backwardness of the areas.

Observing that the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi in bringing development in the rural areas of the country, that could not go ahead effectively, Agatha said it is due to lack of deep knowledge in this field and lack of awareness among the people.

Another reason is lack of sincerity and interest of the implementing agencies of the schemes under the rural development sectors.

So, she will try with her best level to speed up the developmental activities from the grass root level, she added.

Agatha said that she will perform activities taking into account what the people expected from her and will help in taking up all developmental works in the region during her five year tenure as Parliamentarian from the region.

She also appealed the state authority to take advantage to bringing upward the rural areas.

She also revealed that the visit to the state is the first time she tour in a state of the country after induction to the council of ministers of the UPA government.

Lauding to the assurance given by union minister of state Agatha Sagma, former chief minister of Manipur and president of NCP state unit, Radhbinod Koijam speaking as guest honour said that there are many things which can be done for the development of rural areas in the field of safe drinking water supply and sanitation.

To improve the dearth in these sectors is the want of the people, Radhabinod put down expressing believed that Agatha will take up step to mend up such backwardness.

But the main thing is to give peace a chance in the trouble-torn state.

Only when peace prevails, the society can march forward.

It is the believed of the NCP.

As a part of the function, first, second and third position holders of this year's HSLC and HSSLC exams were presented gifts.

The gifts were donated by the Nationalist Students Congress and Union minister handed over the same to the students.

The function was also attended by leaders and officials of the NCP state unit.

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