Imphal, December 03 2008: The two-day conference of 16 thematic groups NER vision 2020 began today at the NEC auditorium in Shillong.

Representatives from different parts of the region including Manipur are participating in the conference.

Inaugurating the conference, Union Minister for DONER Mani Shankar Aiyar stressed on the role-played by Panchayati Raj institutions in the development of the nation.

He said, ever since power to Panchayat was given, certain changes have been seen in several areas of the country.

Referring to Manipur, the Union Minister said a great deal needs to be done for improving Panchayati Raj system in Manipur.

Particularly referring to the hill districts of Manipur, he said, election for the hill district councils had not been held for a long time.

He expressed the hope that it will be done very soon.

People of hill districts of Manipur were not getting as much benefits as the people of valley were getting, he mentioned.

He said, there was no planning at all at the district level especially in Tamenglong district.

Aiyar who was at Tamenglong yesterday, said he received many petitions and memoranda from NGOs, student bodies, MLAs and MPs all demanding development of Tamenglong district.

Keeping the petitions in mind, the district plans could be formulated in five minutes, he maintained referring specifically to Tamenglong district.

Touching upon the devolution of power to the Panchayat bodies, he asserted that political will should be the guiding principle in giving power to the local bodies.

He cited one instance that was happening at Karbi anglong in Assam.

Referring to the economic development noticed in the region he said 97 percent of the household at Karbi anglong was classified as poor in 2000 .

He expressed astonishment to see 75 percent of the households having been raised above the poverty line after eight years.

Earlier to mark the occasion, the Union Minister released a book entitled 'News Views' containing newspaper clippings that reflect the thrust and priorities given by the NER Vision 2020 document, which was released by the Prime Minister of India.

The book is published by the Ministry of DONER, Government of India.

It also carries newspaper clippings of the local dailies published in Imphal.

Many experts from different ministries of the Government of India presented papers.

A team of delegates led by Speaker of Manipur Assembly, Dr S Budhichandra took part in the discussion.

Former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam who also took part in the conference stressed the need for changing the mindset of bank officials, who are working in Manipur.

He observed that they should behave in a manner that is customer friendly.

MPP's O Joy said the bank branches in different parts of the state that were closed down in the wake of insurgent activities have not been re-opened despite giving assurance to provide security.

Speaker Budhichandra said NREGS has been reduced to a mockery in Manipur.

He informed the gathering that the Zilla Parishad is not involved in the implementation of the NREGS in the state.

He said the ambitious programme has not been successfully implemented in Manipur.

Morung Makunga, MLA wanted to know from the Union Minister as to why Sixth Schedule was not implemented in the hill districts of the state.

He said the same Schedule was implemented in other states.

The other issues that were taken up for discussion today were financial services, connectivityinland waterways, rural road, railways, major roads, poverty eradication, IT, ITES and cyber connectivity, tourism, agriculture and industry.

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