Northeast Yet to Benefit from 'Looking East' or 'Acting East': Mizoram MP C Lalrosanga

Guwahati, November 30, 2019:

Mizoram Lok Sabha MP C Lalrosanga, during the Inside Northeast Youth Conclave 2019, said that the "Act East Policy" of the central government is yet to reap dividends for the people of the Northeast.

Lalrosanga stated that the Northeast is not deriving anything from Looking East or Acting East and "we really have to act now."

The Mizoram MP stated that although the PM has been visiting the Southeast Asian nations, not much has been done to propel the region forward.

Akash Banerjee, who was moderating the session on the 'Look East Policy' said that the situation continues to be grim, with the Northeast still accounting for the only 3% of the national region.

The MP said that the Northeast has to be able to tap into the riches of possibilities of trade and commerce between the region and the countries in the far east, some of which have booming economies. "We need to think out of box and look into waterways to connect this part to other countries", the MP added.

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Demanding support from the Centre, he asked for the 59,000 Crore rupees promised to activate the border posts and installation of staffs and guards.

He also urged the Centre to improve road infrastructure and roads near the border areas, which are as of yet unbuilt. "You have to complete the projects on hand", Lalrosanga appealed the Government.

Speaking about the youth of the Northeast, Lalrosanga said that most of the youngsters will be instrumental in development in the region as many youth in his native Mizoram have chosen to stay home and pursue entrepreneurship.

Although he admitted that the Indian Government has the right policies, Lalrosanga stated that the implementation of the said policies is found lacking. The MP further added that the porous borders and the illegal activities have to be curbed. "I am not blaming the centre only, but the respective state Governments also need to be blamed too. People are not educated in terms of Geo-economic relation. The government is into firefighting than looking into problem of states", he said.

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"There is immense potential, but even through there is immense potential, it has not been realized, these Geo-economic relations have to be developed fully", Mr Lalrosanga added.

Lalrosanga also expounded that the cultural similarities between the Northeast India and the Southeast Asian countries can be used to build bridges across borders, and bring the region in close proximity with the rest of the world.

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