AGARTALA, Dec 22 (TIWN): Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) held a seminar on Thursday at Prgana Bhawan focused on the theme of "Act East through Northeast". Pradip Bangla, Co-Chairman of CII said that ‘Look East Policy’ changed into the ‘Act East Policy’ under the present political dispensation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This dispensation has called for a robust and result-oriented diplomacy to attain India’s national interest in its Eastern neighbourhood.It’s worthy to mention here that contextualised in India’s North-East, the policy has remained a mere rhetoric; yet the recent stride has generated a lot of optimism among the academia, policy-makers and other stakeholders in the region for a relook at the policy with a new paradigm.

However, the obstacle in Modi’s Act-East-Policy mainly occurred due to such lameduck Industry Ministers like Tapan Chakraborty who often remains non-interested to attend such seminars. 

As a result Digital & Visual connectivity have remained just as a concept in Tripura.Among all kinds of connectivity Tripura railway has been so far extended with the attempt of Modi Govt, although in digital and roadway connectivity state yet lags far behind.

In the name of Capacity building, Tripura Govt. has failed to line up digital connectivity even after 8 years. Now the BJP led Central Govt. has increased the deadline upto 2017. The Capacity Building (CB) is a Project which was sanctioned by the Govt. of India for Tripura initially for 3-year period at a total cost of Rs.7.36 crores on 26th February in 2008, which had been extended till Jan 9, 2015. But, now the project has been further extended up to March 2017.

The Union Govt. has initiated mega road and highway expansion / upgradation, but at the end of the NE Industry Summit held from Sep 21 to Sep 23, it was reported that the overall progress has been very slow & Northeast Ring has still remained just as a concept. 

But Tripura being ruled by CPI-M since 23 years, is acting like a rebel to the Prime Minister & his all policies. Whereas due to corruption in PWD the roadways are left in miserable shape in Tripura, but when the Central Govt. is trying to help the state will better connectivity due to non-cooperation it’s not happening in reality.

On the ending day of NE Industry Summit on Sep 23rd, it was said that although railway, port-ways are easing travelling, but the lifeline to business & commerce are the Highways, which are traditionally known as the shortcut common ways for trade.

It was also said by experts that the long term potential for Northeastern States to be connected seamlessly via road networks internally as well as externally--------1) Internally among the 8 state capitals through a Northeast Ring Road, and 2) externally with Asian Highway Network. 

This same issue was repeated also on Thursday at CII meet. However, it’s to be seen how much govt will help them, as none of the Tripura Govt Secretaries or Industry Minister was present in that programme.

It’s worthy to mention here that the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is an association of Indian businesses which works to create an environment conducive to the growth of industry in the country.

CII works closely with Government on policy issues, interfacing with thought leaders, and enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and business opportunities for industry through a range of specialized services and strategic global linkages.