Budget 2014: Nothing specific for North East in budget, says Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today expressed disappointment with the general budget saying there was no investment strategy to promote trade and commerce with other countries in the North East region.

"As far as North East is concerned we have challenges. That is something missing (in the budget)," Sangma said adding it was 'depressing' as the state government had many times asked the Centre to address this issue.

International boundaries of conflicts in the region have to be transformed into boundaries of prosperity through trade and commerce to get rid of many problems including militancy, he said.

The chief minister suggested that NDA government take into account the policies adopted by the UPA regime and come up with aggressive investment strategies to address this concern and promote trade and commerce with other countries.

"Trade and commerce creates positive environment, not only from economic perspective but also from geo political aspects to create a peaceful neighbourhood," he said.

There were indication that sophisticated arms seized from Maoists came from across the international border in the north east, Sangma said.

"There must be a transparent mechanism to be adopted by the government in taking up programme in consultation with the state governments in the North East to ensure that accumulated funds will be made known to the state," he said.

Though the budget has generated lots of promises, the Chief Minister said "there is nothing specific to NE to give us the kind of comprehension that we need to have."