N-E could be economic bridgehead to SE Asia: PM

Pointing out that the Centre was keen to invest in the region’s development by allocating more resources Vajpayee appealed to State governments to ‘‘demonstrate visibly that the funds are used properly.’’ According to him the Centre has taken a ‘‘conscious decision to provide more resources and incentives for development’’ of the North-East. Vajpayee also urged the region to exploit its proximity to markets in Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand and Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister also announced that the government would soon commence work on the 2000-MW Subansiri hydro-electric project in Arunachal Pradesh at a cost of over Rs 6,000 crore. The Rs 800-crore 130-mw Teesta lower dam station III project in Sikkim which is on the anvil will harness the untapped hydel power potential in the region, he said. Between 1998-99 and 2002-03, the Centre has released over Rs 44,000 crore of as a comprehensive development project for the North East, he said.

Expressing satisfaction on several projects bearing fruition Vajpayee said that his office was personally monitoring the projects and also issuing monthly progress reports. Pointing out the success of small-scale industries Vajpayee said that these enterprises were employment-intensive, as well as profitable. ‘‘I suggest the KVIC, state government departments, banking institutions, agencies dealing with export promotion and chambers of commerce work together to devise a comprehensive strategy to promote these enterprises,’’ he said.