The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has proposed setting up of hostels for students of Northeast studying in Delhi. Addressing a meeting here today of Resident Commissioners from the eight Northeastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh ordered constituting a sub-committee consisting of representatives from the Offices of Resident Commissioners of various States as well as representatives of DoNER Ministry who would identify suitable location and land where such hostels can be constructed. The accessibility, security and availability of basic amenities should be important consideration while planning such hostels, he added. He also issued instructions for carrying forward negotiations about the venues which had been shortlisted as possible locations for these hostels.
Calling upon the Resident Commissioners to maintain a regular and closer interaction with the Ministry of DoNER in a more institutionalized manner, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Resident Commissioners are in fact the important resource persons for providing inputs and other valuable feedback regarding the plans and projects envisaged for the development of Northeast. He also suggested that each of the Resident Commissioners could collect general information regarding the profile and composition of the people from their respective States living in NCR Delhi which would enable the DoNER Ministry to focus its plans on specific needs of students, youth, elderly citizens, women and other sections of society from each State residing in Delhi.
Giving a brief outline of the proposed 4-day Mega Northeast festival planned for the month of April in New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh urged the Resident Commissioners to come forward with their suggestions and inputs about the programmes, stalls and components to be included in this event. The idea of holding the festival would be to showcase the unique attraction of each of the eight States before the rest of India, he added. The Resident Commissioners, on their part, expressed gratitude to Dr Jitendra Singh and said, they were highly enthused by the interaction with him which was perhaps unique of its kind to be held by any Minister. They also appreciated the Minister’s eagerness to make them an essential component of the planning and working in DoNER Ministry which they said, they had never experienced before.