An exclusive Airlines operation catering to the needs of the people of North-Eastern states will be launched from July next year.     

AN exclusive Airlines operation catering to the needs of the people of North Eastern States will be launched from July next year and arrangements are being made to increase the number of existing fleets in the region from the present 250 to 500, stated newly appointed Secretary of North Eastern Council (NEC) R. K. Phalguni. He has become the first person from Manipur to be elected as the Secretary of NEC, said the Airlines service to be launched from July next year would exclusively cater to the need of the people living in the North Eastern States.

Efforts are also being made to increase the total number of fleets in the region from 250 to 500.While informing that steps have already been taken up to upgrade the existing eight airports in the region, Phalguni said that the vision of the NEC is to set up an Economic Union of the North Eastern States with proper channelisation of the trade ad commerce activities.

Toward this direction, several memorandum of understanding (MoUs) have been signed during the North East India Investment Opportunities Week hosted by DoNER Ministry at Bangkok recently and necessary groundwork for extension of co-operation with other South East Asian countries in the field of business have been worked out, Phalguni said, adding that efforts are also being made to include the North East region in the tourism circuit of Thailand.

He disclosed that in order to implement the Vision 2020 drafted by NEC with the objective of bring about social transformation and all round development of the region, hearings in the eight States including Manipur would begin from October 16 till first week of next month. NEC would also extend every possible assistance in connection with the developmental schemes and proposals submitted by the Government of Manipur and NEC officials would come to review the developmental schemes being taken up under the sponsorship of NEC regularly, the IAS officer said.

All the North Eastern States including Manipur should try to reap the benefit of the globalisation and Look East Policy, he suggested.

Born and brought up in Manipur, Phalguni, an IAS officer of Karnataka cadre was the Secretary in-charge of NE Region, Union Home Ministry before his current appointment as the Secretary of NEC on August 14 this year.

Meanwhile, Deputy Managing Director of Manipur Essential Commodities Marketing & Services Limited M Chandrakeshore Singh conveyed to the Sangai Express that senior executives of Siam Cement Corporation Limited, Bangkok have expressed keen interest in reviving the Hundung Cement Factory of Ukhrul district and manipur Paper Mill, Jiribam.

With the Thailand company officials insisting on submitting a status report on their area of interest, the matter was apprised to relevant officials of Govt of India which was favourably reciprocated as the Commissioner (Planning) and Director (Industries) have assured to provide requisite information, said Chandrakeshore who attended the recently held North East Investment Week at the Thailand capital as representative of North East Federation of International Trade of which he is also the vice president and in-charge of Manipur State.

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