IMPHAL, January 16: A twelve-member delegation of YLC (Young Leaders Connect) from Northeast India met with the Union Minister of Finance, Arun Jaitley at New Delhi on January 14.
Chaired by Bhaichung Bhutia (Indian Football Icon), the delegation comprised of Kiren Rijiju (MoS MHA), Sushmita Dev (MP), Gaurav Gogoi (MP) Karma Paljor (Business Editor CNN-IBN), Conrad Sangma (Chief Executive Member, GHADC), RK Imo Singh (MLA Manipur), GG Kamei (IRS), Hekani Jakhalu (Director, YouthNet), Tanushree Hazarika (Managing Director Eclectic Group), Dr Lalrin Jahau (Surgeon, Mizoram) and Bjorn Deneise (GM, Mayfair Hotels), Towards reaching a common goal of preparing Northeast for the next level, YLC engaged with the Union Minister and discussed and deliberated on several topics and issues related to the region.
The YLC submitted a set of recommendation to the Finance Minister to ensure optimum utilisation of the rich natural and human resources base in the region.
The YLC suggested that a special employment-linked skill development drive along the lines of “Udaan” for Jammu and Kashmir could be launched in the North-East as well.
Such an initiative would ensure adequate employment or entrepreneurship opportunities and put more emphasis on youth development. The need of the hour is also to create new higher education institutions (HEIs) even while strengthening existing once through improvement in their governance, curricula etc. Vocational training, scientific education, research, centres and institutes of excellence are needed for the development of the North-East’s youth.
YLC also stressed on governance and policy related issues. There have been government policies aiming to promote the north East region but recent modifications have negatively impacted the desired objective of these politices. Hence, YLC recommended a few points like foucssin on North east, ensuring proper utilisation of development funds meant for the region, reverting to the original proper composition of the central assistance funds including special category status, special plan assistance, special central assistance, normal central assistance and north east industrial and investment promotion policy. New and pending projects to connect the north east region through road, rail and air must be given special priority including connecting state capitals through rail, intra-regional and international air connectivity, multi-modal Kaladan project and Asian trilateral highway.
Young Leader Connect believes that urgent focus on these recommendations will enhance peace and prosperity in the region. Lauding the initiative of the delegation, the Union Minister encouraged the group to continue their good work for the benefit of the region.
He also urged the young leaders to focus on the good governance of the Northeast.