NE CMs' meeting convened on Oct 31
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 26:
To discuss the prospects and problems of implementing the Look East Policy in the North East region, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has convened a meeting with all the Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States on October 31 at New Delhi.
An official source informed The Sangai Express that the meeting is specifically convened to implement the Look East Policy successfully, first conceived by late Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in the North East region by identifying the potential obstacles that could jeopardise the policy in the region.
The joint meeting to be presided by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will also be attended by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Surface Transport Minister TR Balu, Defence Minister AK Anthony, National Security Advisor MK Narayan and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Dr Montek Singh Ahluhwalia.
The meeting will be held at Hyderabad House, New Delhi.
In addition to Chief Minister O Ibobi, the State delegation to the meeting will also include Principal Secretary (Planning) PBO Warjiri and Planning Director K Mangi.
Besides deliberating on the points that could foil the successful implementation of LEP in the North East region, the meeting will also discuss the mode of tax collection, disclosed the source.
Commenting on the lack of progress in the implementation of LEP, Prof Amar Yumnam of Economics Department, Manipur University pointed out three principal factors.
He identified the ambiguity of the Union Government on the LEP, improper handling of the issues of the North East by the Centre and lack of clarity on the part of Union Government with regard to handling China towards fructifying the LEP as the primary reasons impeding the Look East Policy.
He opined that the Look East Policy can be progressive if it is implemented properly with a clear vision.
Under the LEP, the Union Government has been planning to connect India with South East Asia through Moreh by the Trans-Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway.
Meanwhile, a public hearing on the draft report of Vision 2020 Document prepared with the objective to make the North East region a peaceful and developed region by 2020 has been fixed at Imphal on November 2.A meeting presided by Principal Secretary (Planning) PBO Warjiri held on October 23 has already decided to invite MPs, MLAs, public leaders, academicians, experts of Manipur University, Zilla Parishad members, Pradhans, functionaries of social organisations and media personalities to the public hearing.
According to the draft report of the Vision Document, Departments under the State Government should give their comments by tomorrow.
The public hearing is also likely to be held in some hill districts.