Financial assistance to cash strapped NE states soon

AGARTALA: Planning Commission and the Union Ministry of Finance would work out a plan soon to provide financial assistance to north eastern states facing financial crunch, Tripura Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury said today.

Chowdhury, who attended the meeting of chief ministers of northeastern states in New Delhi on June 5, said the assurance was given by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee who announced to form the 14th Finance Commission this year to address the financial problems of the region.

He quoted Mukherjee as telling the meeting that the central government was committed to implement the 'Look East Policy' which would not be possible without development of the north east states.

"Mukherjee also said the north eastern region would be included to achieve the second green revolution in the 12th Five Year Plan period and the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2007 would be implemented to boost investment in the region," Chowdhury said.

Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia present said another meeting with the north eastern states would be held within three to four months.