Date:21/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/03/21/stories/2007032101150800.htm

Back North-East development

The development plan for the North-Eastern region described in the article "North-East: Roadmap for development" is welcome (Business Line, March 20). It is a wide swathe of the country rich in natural resources.

There is no dearth of water, land, timber or commercial crops. But what the region lacks are the basics of reliable power, adequate infrastructure and proper administration. The funds pumped in by the Centre are often neatly siphoned off by the powers-that-be. Many roads and development projects exist only on paper and the funds `used' for them are largely unaccounted for. Lack of education and the simplicity of the locals make it simple for the politicians to pull wool over the people's eyes. The Centre must make a sincere endeavour to remove the shortcomings in this region.

A.E. Charles

Coimbatore

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