IMPHAL, July 15 - The parameter for devolution of funds under North Eastern Council (NEC) should be done on the basis of the development index of the NE States, Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla said here on Sunday.
�Because among eight NE States, seven of them have similar problems (excuding Assam),� the Governor said, adding, �Manipur was in focus in the NEC meeting as well.�
Informing that she mentioned about Loktak, the biggest lake in NE and its present dying status, Heptulla told reporters at Raj Bhavan here, �We have to do something about it. I�m going to pursue the matter as Manipur was not given a fair share of funds.�
Dr Heptulla was sharing what she had stated during the 67th plenary meeting of NEC, a regional planning body of eight NE States, in Shillong on July 9.
Regarding the lack of awareness about the Central welfare schemes among the general public particularly among women, the Governor informed that MHA has agreed to translate the write-ups on the Central Government schemes into local languages to create awareness.
She also mentioned that Union Health Ministry in association with Civil Aviation Ministry will be formulating the ground rules for the proper implementation of the air dispensary services in Manipur.
Dr Heptulla has been advocating the introduction of flying doctors through air dispensary as done in developed countries for the needy patients in far-flung remote areas. Last year, she had even announced that Union Civil Aviation Minister is ready to allocate Rs 25 crore to introduce helicopter services.
Stating that Manipur needs good infrastructure, she said, building good roads is the need of the hour and suggested the conversion of Act East Policy into Work East Policy considering the infrastructure requirement in the region. �But we should focus on tourism,�she said.
