Equitable development of all states has been the priority of the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This Government has taken various initiatives for the development of north-eastern states, said DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on Thursday.
Dr Singh was talking to a delegation led by president of All Manipur Dalit Development Association, T M Rajen Ayangba in New Delhi.
Official sources said that the delegation discussed various issues related to their economic and social empowerment.
The issues pertained to their employment and education and living standards of people residing in hilly areas, among others.
The Prime Minister has visited the Northeast many times in the last four years to initiate these development projects in many areas, he added. These efforts have led to peace and development in the north-eastern states of India, the Minister said.
Dr Singh said that the ‘Hill Area Development Programme’ (HADP) for the Northeast was first announced by the Manipur Government in Imphal, to be initiated on a pilot basis in the hilly districts of the State. He emphasized that priority of the Government has been to bring the north-eastern states at par with the more developed states in the rest of the country.
After discussing the issues, the DoNER minister assured the delegation that he will forward their memorandum to the concerned ministries for necessary action at their end