LACK of development in the North-East pains Union Defence Minister George Fernandes. Making no attempt to hide his displeasure, the Union Defence Minister recently criticized the State Governments of the region. He expressed his unhappiness over lack of the development in the entire North Eastern region since the past five years although the Centre is sanctioning the necessary funds. ”Since the last five years, regular fund has been flowing into the region but no eye catching development activities is seen so far,” the Union Minister said during a reception held at the auditorium of the 9 Sector Assam Rifles at Kangla. Highlighting the major projects taken up in the region by the Centre, he revealed that the Prime Minister along with his senior Cabinet ministers had visited North-East region to collect the first hand account of the living status of the region as well as to examine the other development works.

Mr. Fernandes also expressed serious concern over the pathetic condition of the Indo-Myanmar border on the Indian side. He personally inspected the condition of the porous Indo-Myanmar border at Moreh, along with top army officials, during his latest trip. Asking the NCC cadets to join hands to completely eradicate AIDS from Manipur, the Union Minister promised to help the NCC activities in the State. Lauding the activities of NCC cadets of Manipur comparing to other states, the Defence Minister asked them to remain alert for any eventuality in the days to come in this volatile State. According to him the NCC cadets of Manipur are the best in India and Manipur is rich in its culture, traditions, customs etc. He also interacted with large number of NCC cadets and encouraged them to join armed forces to serve the Nation.

|  Headlines  |  Editorial   | From Other Publications  |
|  Travel Column   |   News Briefs  |
| OT Main Page | Nena  Home Page  |