How Has NE Become the Engine of India's Growth Under PM Modi's 'Ashtalakshmi' Vision?
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Key Takeaways
Agartala, Jan 23 (NationPress) The Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, stated on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has elevated the 'Ashtalakshmi' – representing the eight states of the Northeast – to a pivotal role in India's developmental journey.
During a virtual ceremony to kick off and lay the foundation for eight significant development projects in Tripura, amounting to a total investment of Rs 365 crore, including a Rs 81-crore solar microgrid initiative, Scindia remarked that under PM Modi’s vision of ‘Ashtalakshmi’, the Northeast has transformed from a mere geographical border to a vital driving force in India’s growth.
These developments are anticipated to rejuvenate road connectivity, boost tourism, enhance energy supplies, and promote comprehensive development in tribal regions throughout the state.
The Minister highlighted that all 52 Central ministries are now required to allocate 10 percent of their budgets for the advancement of the Northeastern region. He added that approximately Rs 1 lakh crore has been invested in the Northeast just last year.
Scindia pointed out that Tripura has achieved a growth rate between 10.5 and 11 percent over the last decade and has become a power-surplus state.
Among the inaugurated projects is a solar microgrid system designed to provide dependable power to 274 remote villages, benefiting over 9,700 families in isolated areas of Tripura.
Additionally, the DoNER Minister inaugurated a veterinary clinical complex at Radha Kishore Nagar in West Tripura and laid the foundation for road connectivity projects in the North Tripura and Dhalai districts.
These initiatives are funded through the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), the North Eastern Council (NEC), and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS-Roads).
During the event held at Pragna Bhavan, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha mentioned that the DoNER Ministry has formed various high-level task forces aimed at identifying essential interventions and developing actionable strategies for the integrated growth of the Northeast Economic Corridor.
These task forces were established following the 72nd plenary session of the NEC, conducted in November 2024 in Agartala, which was chaired by Union Home Minister Shah.
Focusing on the investment surge in the Northeast, Saha noted that during the previous year's Investors’ Summit in Delhi, inaugurated by PM Modi, investment proposals totaling Rs 30,000 crore were received, with about Rs 15,000 crore specifically directed towards Tripura due to the state’s prevailing peace and stability.
The DoNER Minister arrived in Tripura on a three-day visit, during which he will launch various infrastructure and development projects spanning tourism, roads, and cultural heritage. These projects are financed through PM-DevINE, NESIDS-Roads, and NEC.