Progress in last decade bridged gap between Delhi & Northeast: Modi

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said efforts have been made over the last decade to bridge the emotional and developmental gap between Delhi and the Northeast, emphasizing the importance of bringing the region closer to the nation's heart.

- RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi

Inaugurating the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav here to celebrate the vibrancy of the Northeast, Modi said the progress of the region was not given much emphasis under the previous governments due to fewer population and votes in those states.

He said the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was the first to create a dedicated ministry for the region and also earmarked 20 per cent budget of every ministry for its development.