North-East focus missing from Budget 2021: Ex-CM Mukul Sangma

SHILLONG: Leader of Opposition, Dr. Mukul Sangma today said that one important aspect which was missing from the Union Budget 2021-2022 is the focus on North-Eastern region.

“It is very important to look at the North-Eastern region differently in respect to investments pertaining to the region. Special attention to the North-East will enable the region to keep pace with the rest of the country in respect of developmental indices in the social sector, educational and infrastructural sectors,” Dr. Mukul who is also the former Chief Minister told reporters.

He also emphasised on the need for new initiatives to aggressively pursue those agendas which were there in the pipeline which is an offshoot of a long drawn exercise on the strength and potentiality of the region.

“But there is nothing mentioned on investment which is specific to the NE region except few continuations of the ongoing programmes,” Leader of Opposition said.

Dr Mukul Sangma also said that there is no specific indication to further carry forward the Act East Policy in the Union Budget.

“There is no special allocation of funds which are specific to the Ministry of DoNER and NEC. We are all aware that these two institutions are very critical for the development of the North Eastern region,” he said.