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New Delhi : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 8, 2019, addressed the opening session of the 68th Plenary of the North Eastern Council in Guwahati. Shah began his address by paying tribute to Bharat Ratna late Bhupen Hazarika. He said that this day also assumes importance for the fact that today is also the birth anniversary of the late Bhupen Hazarika who introduced to the world the entire Northeast through his art and music.

Shah said that Bhupen Hazarika got ample opportunities to get himself settled in other parts of the country and even outside the country as he was a legend who expressed himself through music and songs in different languages. But he never left Northeast as he was of the view that if he will leave his native place the rich heritage, culture and unique tradition of the Northeast will fail to get a platform to be showcased before the entire world, Shah added. He added that throughout his life he remained an the ambassador of the culture of the Northeast, and that the present Government under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, as a respect for his contribution for the enrichment of the rich culture of the region, conferred on him the  Bharat Ratna.

Shah said that after abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, there was some misinformation that there will be also changes to Article 371. He, however, asserted that the Centre respects Article 371 and it will not touch the Article which grants special provisions to the North East.

He explained the difference between Article 370, which was temporary in nature, and Article 371 which is about special provisions in the North East. “I have clarified in Parliament that this is not going to happen and I am saying it again today in Assam in the presence of the eight Chief Minister,” Shah added.

Speaking on the recent publication of NRC in Assam,  Shah expressed his satisfaction over the timely completion of the process and also added that the government will not allow a single illegal immigrant to stay back in the country, according to a PIB release.

Shah referred to the PM’s remark where he said that Northeast can be the new engine for India’s growth and the contribution from this region towards the progress and development of the country should be the highest among other states. Northeast is a mini India in itself which consist of the mighty Himalaya range in one hand and on the other hand there is the most beautiful landscapes of the world – Barak, Brahmaputra and Imphal valley.

Hinting on the immense potential of the region, Shah said that Northeast comprises of around 9 percent of the total area of the country with a population of around 5 crore which comprises of 3.78 percent of the total population. The region also bears strategic importance for the fact that it shares International border for around 5,300 km. Referring to the diverse culture of the Northeast region, Shah said that there are around 270 ethnic group and around 150 dialects in the region and all development activities and initiative should be directed towards preserving and enriching the rich heritage of this region.

Shah announced that the North East Council will earmark 30 per cent of its fund for focussed funding of priority areas and deprived sections of society in the North East. He said that every state will identify those villages or regions which are backward in various indicators and will work to bring those regions at par with the rest of the country.

Commenting on the commitment of the Central Government for the development of the Northeastern region, Shah said that there has been a 1.5  time increase in budget of NEC from 13th Finance Commission to 14th Finance Commission from Rs 3,376 crore to Rs 5,053 crore. 

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