New Delhi, June 27 (FN Representative) President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said the Central government, committed to lasting peace in the North-East, was working on a phased withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the disturbed areas of the region. Addressing the Joint Session of the two Houses of Parliament after the formation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led third government, the President said the Cenre was continuously working for lasting peace in the North-East. “In the last ten years, many old disputes have been resolved; many important agreements have been reached”.
“The work of withdrawing AFSPA from the disturbed areas of the North-East is also underway in a phased manner by accelerating development in those areas,” she asserted. For the development of the North-East, the President said the government in the last 10 years has increased the allocation for the development of the region by more than four times. “The Government is working to make this region a strategic gateway under its Act East Policy,” Murmu said. The President said all kinds of connectivity were being expanded in the North-East and development works were being taken up in every field including education, health, tourism and employment. “A semi-conductor plant is being established in Assam at a cost of Rupees 27,000 crore. The North-East will also be a hub of Made in India chips,” she added. The President added that these new initiatives in every aspect of development in the country were heralding the future of India.