Vice president asserts need to have peace dialogue with insurgent groups for development of NE region

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 4, 2021

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Monday asserted the need to have dialogue with insurgent groups as peace is the pre-requisite for progress and development of the North East region. 

“I suggest for the proper development of the North East states you need peace. Peace is the prerequisite for progress,” Naidu said while addressing the laying of foundation stone for Shillong-Dawki road project. 

Stating that he is happy that the insurgency is coming to an end, the vice president said, “We need to…have a dialogue with these groups and see to it that they give up arms, join the peace process because…peace is the pre-requisite for progress of the people and all round development of the people.”

He said education, health, employment opportunities, connectivity, all are very vital to the people of the North East.

According to him, because of the fear of the guns, because of insurgency, because of blockades, so many things were obstructing (the progress of the region).

Naidu however said, “Now it is time that we must utilize this peaceful atmosphere and create a proper eco system for the development of the states in a fast track manner.”

On the other hand, the vice president also emphasized on the importance of transparency and accountability. 

“Everything should be transparent, people should know what is happening. this road how many kms what are the materials used people should have the information. Second is accountability – people who are incharge of these programmes they should be held accountable, the engineers, the administrators, the contractors, the people who are the executive agencies everybody should be made accountable for the amount that has been given and the work they are doing,” he said.

Naidu further stated that corruption is the enemy of development. 

“There should be zero tolerance towards corruption and also now we have the advantage of digital technology. 

Everything has to be made online so that we don’t need a line to go and standing in a line waiting for our turn, standing in line, greeting people, meeting people, shaking hands and doing something in between shaking hands should be totally avoided. Benefit should reach the people directly. 

Pension should reach the people directly, compensation should reach the people directly, PDS should also reach the people directly – whatever benefits the central government is giving whatever benefit the state government is giving, it should go directly to the people pockets. This should be the motto of the government,” he added.