Northeast development vision showing results: Varma

Rajamahendravaram: Union Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma has said that the comprehensive development programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Northeastern States is yielding significant results on the ground.

Speaking to ‘The Hans India’ over the phone from Meghalaya during his three-day tour of Assam and Meghalaya, the Union Minister said the visit was aimed at reviewing the implementation of Central government welfare and infrastructure schemes in coordination with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

Varma said he arrived in Guwahati on Tuesday evening and held discussions with Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and other senior leaders. He stated that the meeting focused on accelerating industrial growth and infrastructure development in the Northeastern region through close coordination between the Centre and State governments. The Minister also participated in a BJP “Meet and Greet” programme at Dispur, the capital of Assam, where several key developmental issues requiring Centre-State coordination were discussed.

As part of his Meghalaya visit, Varma reviewed the implementation of various public welfare and infrastructure programmes in the South West Khasi Hills district. He said his field-level inspection was being carried out in the spirit of “Antyodaya”, aimed at ensuring that welfare benefits reach even the poorest sections of society.

“The objective of the visit is to assess whether flagship Central schemes are reaching every citizen in the Northeastern States and to ensure that the pace of development is further strengthened,” he said.

The Union Minister visited the district headquarters hospital and reviewed the medical services being provided there. He also distributed Ayushman Bharat health cards to beneficiaries.

Varma said he inspected natural farming fields being cultivated by local women self-help groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission. He also visited Anganwadi centres and took part in the inauguration of newly constructed houses built for the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin scheme.

He added that officials were instructed to ensure the effective implementation of all welfare schemes and speed up development activities in the region.