Dr Jitendra Singh
DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh. Image credit - Twitter

Union DoNER minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday said there was a time when the name of Northeast brought the image of an area known for terrorism, corruption, and insecurity.

Dr Singh said this while speaking at the inaugural session of the SDG Concalve 2020 in Guwahati.

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The SDG Conclave, organized by NITI Aayog in association with DoNER Ministry, NEC, UNDP, RIS, Chambers of Commerce and Tata Trusts, was underway at Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati.

The union DoNEr minister said proactive steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the entire perception about this region.

He also informed that as per the direction of the PM, today the union ministers travel to Northeast every fortnight to take stock of the progress of implementation of development schemes which reflected the Prime Minister’s commitment for the development of the region.

The union DoNER minister also highlighted the steps taken by his ministry for development of Northeast.

NITI Aayog vice-chairman Dr. Rajiv Kumar in his speech urged the states to take up the SDG goals on priority basis and requested to take special measures for their realization.

This would also help in fulfilling local aspirations, he added.

Also read: SDG Conclave adds new chapter in Northeast’s development process: Sonowal

The vice-chairman also urged all the chief ministers of the Northeast states to agree with NITI Aayog’s directives to set up SDG Monitoring Units in their respective states.

Coinciding the occasion, four reports on SDG prepared by RIS, Tata Trusts and other institutions were also released.

Assam fiancé minister Himanata Biswa Sarma delivered the welcome speech.

The inaugural session was also addressed by Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga, Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang, Tripura chief minister Biplab Kr Deb, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, UN Resident Coordinator of India Renata Lok Dessallien.

Meghalaya food & civil supplies minister James Sangma, Nagaland planning & coordination minister of Nagaland Neiba Kronu, officials of the state and central governments were also present in the inaugural session.