The special package given by Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram to the northeast for the region's all round development has been made with special emphasis on the development of road and rail infrastructure.

As per the plan, all ministries and departments are required to allocate at least 10 percent of their plan budget for schemes and programmes in the northeast region.  For 2005-2006, this would amount to 9,308 crore.

Development of the North East is of prime importance to the Centre and this is reflected in the special emphasis being given to infrastructure development in the region.  This is also in line with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's announcement last year of giving a new deal to North East.

"A special package for highway development in the North Eastern region has also been approved, and I am allocated 450 on this behalf," said Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

Besides allocation of 450 crore rupees for highway development, all the ongoing railway projects have been declared as national projects.  A scheme has been formulated to rejuvenate the tea plantation industry.  Rural Infrastructure Development Fund for villages in North East has been allocated as well.  A programme is also in pipeline to control the perennial flood problem in the region.

Officials further opine that the national project status given to the ongoing railway projects is expected to speed up the proposed projects in the Northeast and is in line with the government's focus on the region.  Speeding up of work on the projects will supplement efforts at bringing the region closer to the rest of the country and push development through improved infrastructure.

The attempt to connect all the states through railway will not only boost internal trade but trade outside the region as well.  The Business community, as expected has welcomed the budget.

"He has done a good job for North East region.  There are lot of expectation and he has taken care of lot of our expectation.  He has given thrust on horticulture, agriculture; he has given thrust on education, rural development, and health.  These are our core competency areas.  If we have to develop North East region we can expect development of the core competency areas not the heavy industries type of things," said DK Sharma, the General Secretary of North east Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Guwahati.

In addition, the Chidambaram has also ensured that small-scale industries are not neglected.  Towards this end 500 crore rupees have been allotted and there is a plan to bring about legislation to provide supportive environment for small and medium enterprises.  Both handloom and horticulture are small-scale industries however they are extremely important to the region as the region's economy largely depends on them.  The common man has appreciated the steps taken to improve basic infrastructure as well.

"The budget is pro common man because Chidambaram has not imposed any new tax on common man.  This is a relief.  Another good point is that it will be beneficial for the people of North East as he has given some incentives for small scale industries in North East, which also includes Tripura," said a resident of Tripura.

Children' education too has received great attention.  A" Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh" has been created to fund children's education.  The attempt is to create human resources as well as to train youths for professional courses so that they can be self- employmed.  This will help in weaning them away from anti social activities.  With North East visible on the centre's developmental radar it is hoped that in time to come it will become a hub of trade and education.  (ANI)