Northeast Development Getting A Double-Engine Push: PM

P rime Minister Nar e n d r a Mo d i o n Thursday lauded the double-engine government for the development of Northeast regions. PM Modi was in Assam to lay the foundation stones of several projects. “Today, the double-engine government is developing the nation with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’,” PM Modi said while addressing the “Peace, Unity and Development Rally” at Diphu in Assam. On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi laid foundation stones for projects relating to education and healthcare, including an agricultural college in Kolonga, degree college in West Karbi Anglong, veterinary college in Diphu. While talking about the benefits of a “double engine” government (a term used by the BJP leadership ruling at the Centre to refer to states where it is also in power), PM Modi referred to the multiple peace initiatives being explored in the Northeast. “Government entered into peace deals in Assam, Tripura; efforts to bring permanent peace in Northeast,” said the PM. While talking about the AFSPA in Assam, PM Modi said, “The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was removed from 23 districts in Assam. The Central Government removed AFSPA from many areas in the Northeast as a result of better law and order.” While addressing the event at Diphu in Karbi Anglong, he said, “With the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, the solution to border-related issues is being sought today. The recent agreement reached between Assam and Meghalaya will encourage others also.” He added, “Last year, several organisations from Karbi Anglong joined the resolve for peace and development. The Bodo Accord opened new doors for lasting peace in 2020.” PM Modi said, “The culture of tribal society, its language, food, food, art, handicrafts, all these are the rich heritage of India. Assam is even more prosperous in this respect. This cultural heritage unites India, strengthens the spirit of Ek Bharat

Shreshtha Bharat.” PM Modi while expressing joy over the development of Northeast regions, he said, “Today when someone visits Northeast and witnesses the rapid development taking place in the region, they also feel proud. We have understood the problems of the region.”

PM Modi also paid a visit to Dibrugarh district, where he opened a cancer hospital on the campus of the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) and virtually launched six cancer hospitals in Barpeta, Tezpur, Jorhat, Darrang, Kokrajhar, and Lakhimpur. At Goalpara, Sivasagar, Dhubri, Nagaon, Golaghat, Tinsukia, and Nalbari, he laid the foundation stones for seven new hospitals. At a public meeting in Dibrugarh, PM Modi stated that there was a time when establishing one hospital was considered a big accomplishment but today in Assam seven new hospitals were opened in a single day. Three additional cancer hospitals are under construction, with the foundation stone for seven more being put in place.

Showing heartfelt gratitude, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, tweeted, “On behalf of the people of Assam, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Hon PM Shri @narendramodi ji for inaugurating Cancer Centre at Assam Medical College & Hospital campus, Dibrugarh. The centre will help carry forward our mission of taking cancer care to remotest parts of Assam.”

These new hospitals will help treat the middle-class and underprivileged people, not only from Assam but from the other neighbouring states as well, who were, otherwise, compelled to go outside their states to get treatment. The Assam government and Tata Trusts collaborated on the 17 hospitals. They will cost roughly Rs 4,000 crores to construct. It will be the largest and most affordable cancer care network in South Asia. The new hospitals will be well-equipped with the facilities of chemotherapy, robotic surgery, bone marrow transplant, diagnostic and sophisticated imaging, nuclear medicine, and stem-cell research.

Speaking of this, industrialist Ratan Tata, during the event of inaugurating the seven state-of-the-art-cancer centres in Assam, said, “I dedicate my last years to health. Make Assam a state that recognises and is recognised by all.” Several prominent figures such as the Governor of Assam, Jagdish Mukhi, and Union Minister of Shipping, Sarbananda Sonowal, were also present at the Dibrugarh ceremony, in addition to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

(WITH INPUTS FROM AGENCIES)