5 more years of ‘double engine’govt: Rajeev

Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Electronics & Information Technology Rajeev Chandrashekhar has asserted that another five years of “double engine” BJP-NDPP alliance government would transform Nagaland from being an economy dependent on Delhi to one that would be surplus.
Addressing media here BJP office here on Monday, he acknowledged that it took time for a State to reach a certain critical mass in terms of economy, skilling capabilities, motivate the youth and for investments to come.
Citing the transformation of Uttar Pradesh into one of the hottest destinations for technology in the country in a span of six years, he hoped that in the next five years and with BJP’s manifesto to skill 80,000- 90,000 Naga youth yearly, investments would flow.
“It is my dream and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s dream that the next wave of unicorns should come from Northeast,” he added.
Asked if not solving the Naga political issue was one of the reasons for stagnancy in entrepreneurship in the State, he opined that even though he did not want to link the two directly, he acknowledged that peace had direct corelation with investments, which in turn had direct corelation to economic growth.
On Kohima Smart City project, Chandrashekhar said in the last two-and-a-half years, a lot of money and resources were spent on gearing up healthcare system for procuring vaccines.
He mentioned that there was a clear focus of Urban Development Ministry to create more customised framework for hill towns like Kohima.
On Modi not being given permission to use PA Sangma Stadium in Meghalaya for campaign, he replied that BJP was used to such things. He claimed that people all over the country were experiencing the positive impact of Modi’s good governance.
“While any party that tries to create such artificial roadblocks may think that it had been successful, we think that good governance will help us endear ourselves to the masses and we will continue doing that,” he assured.
Questioned whether BJP and NDPP would together contest the election to urban local bodies (ULBs) too, he remarked that the alliance was not opportunistic.
He claimed that BJP approached alliance based on common framework and vision to improve the State and transform lives of people, and that if there was a need for the alliance to be extended, the party would certainly explore and do it.
“That bridge would be crossed when we come to the bridge,” he stated.
Chandrashekhar further claimed that he had been involving himself with Naga youth entrepreneurs and helped them begin start-ups even before becoming a minister.
He said the next five years would bring huge opportunities for youth of Nagaland as it would for rest of the country.
He mentioned that Modi had announced Rs 8,000 crore in the budget for skilling youth, while BJP had its manifesto promised to skill 80,000 to 90,000 youth of Nagaland every year that would provide employment opportunities as well as self-employment.
He also spoke on setting up Digital India Start-up hub in all districts of the State.
Chandrashekhar clarified that all these were not empty claims, while noting that the “double engine” government of BJP and NDPP had made tremendous progress in taking Nagaland forward.