By IANS
New Delhi : Finance Minister P. Chidambaram Friday announced Rs.14.55 billion for the development of the northeastern region in the 2008-09 budget.
“The northeastern region will continue to receive special attention and enhanced allocations,” Chidambaram said, proposing Rs.14.55 billion for the Ministry of Development of the Northeastern Region.
“The total budget amount for northeastern region, spreading over different ministries and departments, will increase from Rs.143.65 billion in 2007-08 to Rs.164.47 billion in 2008-09,” Chidambaram said.
The minister also announced the government would set aside Rs.5 billion for the region to tackle “special problems” in the area.
“The northeastern region and especially Arunachal Pradesh and the border areas face special problems that cannot be tackled in the usual course or through normal schemes.
“Hence, the government proposes to identify the urgent needs of these areas and address them through a special mechanism. In order to jumpstart the process, I propose to set apart a sum of Rs.5 billion in a fund dedicated for the purpose,” Chidambaram said.