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NE security scenario much better now: Prez

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Jan 29 - Claiming that due to regular efforts of the Central and State governments, there has been a significant improvement in internal security of the country, President Ramnath Kovind that the Northeast has also witnessed an improvement in the security situation.

Addressing the joint session of the Parliament, the President said that to accelerate the pace of development of this area, the Northeast Special Infrastructure Development Scheme has been sanctioned recently, with 100 per cent Central assistance. Under this scheme, projects relating to drinking water supply, energy, education and health will be completed.

To strengthen electricity transmission and distribution network in the Northeastern states, the government has sanctioned schemes worth Rs 10,000 crore in the last three years.

In Mizoram, a hydroelectric power project, constructed at a cost of Rs 913 crore, was dedicated to the nation recently.

�With the objective of taking the benefits of development to every part of the country, my government is working with sensitivity towards achieving the hopes and aspirations of the people of Northeast,� he said.

�Last year, the longest river-bridge of the country � Dhola-Sadiya � was dedicated to the nation. This bridge has reduced the distance between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by 165 km,� he said, adding �my government is also striving to enhance road connectivity in the Northeast.�

Work on the Agartala-Akhaura rail link, which will connect India and Bangladesh, is progressing rapidly,� Kovind said.

�The Shillong-Tura road project was dedicated to the people in December last year. This road will improve connectivity in the entire Northeastern region,� the President said.

�My government has also decided to develop the Barak river as the National Waterway-16,� he said.

�There has been a reduction in the incidents of Naxal-Maoist violence. For this, the enlightened citizens of the region, our military, paramilitary and police forces deserve to be congratulated. We commend all our security personnel and pay heartfelt tribute to the martyrs,� Kovind pointed out.

�Lives of lakhs of people in the tribal areas, especially in the Northeastern region, are dependent on bamboo industry. Inclusion of bamboo in the category of tree had adversely affected livelihoods associated with it. Keeping in mind these difficulties, my government has excluded bamboo from the category of tree. This has now provided freedom to cut, transport and use bamboo,� the President stated.

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