Japan funding: Hopes of 'Acchey din' amid skepticism in North East

Not with standing the hype about Japan pledging a substantial investment for North East India's infrastructure face-lift, regional watchers and those associated with development works say such initiatives in the past to draw funds countries like South Korea, Japan and Singapore have not yielded much results. Those in the know of things in effect cite multiple reasons for lukewarm response in terms of drawing funds for the landlocked region as the eight states including Sikkim offer a plethora of hurdles ranging from difficult terrains, poor land surface connectivity and insurgency. However, there are some optimists too. Thomas Ngullie, an Independent sitting legislator and the incumbent Parliamentary Secretary In-charge of Higher and Technical Education in Nagaland told UNI:

"Only a determined effort can yield expected results. No one can question Prime Minister Narendra Modi for that. The new formal agreement between Modiji and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be a game changer because it brings fresh lease of hopes and aspiration". Mr Ngullie also suggested that in fact besides focusing on basic infrastructures, the new momentum in Indo-Japanese ties must be "adequately used to tap potentials to promote tourism, create innovative facilities for adventure sports, trekking and set up wild life sanctuaries".

As per the MoU signed between Japan and India on September 14, 2017 at Gandhinagar in presence of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe, a loan of Rs 2,239 crore would be extended to India for ‘North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project’ to improve the National Highway 40 and construct a bypass on NH-54 in the Northeast. The project is expected to play a game changer on the intra-regional and international connectivity through regional economic development. "Essentially, there is need for out of box initiatives. We have land, we have human resources and high percentage of English education. We must act now," Mr Ngullie emphasised. Such optimistic views are not unfounded, however. In fact, Japan is looking to build a "cultural link" with the northeast too. In May, Japanese envoy Kenji Hiramatsu, has said, "Japan has close ties with the North East Region, through the experience of the fierce Battle of Imphal and Kohima" and added that the people of the region also have, "a strong wish that Japan enhances its cooperation, not only economically, but also culturally" But not everyone shares similar sentiments.

"It is easier said than done. Investments in north east by foreign countries have lots of ifs and buts. We have seen people promising big and than developing cold feet. There are multiple reasons. From insurgency to Restricted Area Permit (RAP), foreigners traveling into northeast require a special permit. These are not business friendly," said Meghalaya Congress leader Ronnie Lyngdoh. A foreigner is not normally allowed to visit a protected or restricted areas in north east unless the central Government is satisfied that there are exceptional reasons to justify it, officials say. Under the RAP law, every foreigner except a citizen of Bhutan, who desires to enter and stay in restricted areas in the region is required to obtain a special permit from Union Home Ministry. The provisions have been lately diluted as well. Some others say insurgency and socio-political commotion often create hurdles thereby forcing the potential investors - both from India and abroad - to hesitate in pumping in money.

"There are vices like kidnapping from time to time in states like Tripura. Vexed Insurgency, border unrest and boundary disputes play major spoilsport. We often hear, to end insurgency, government must create opportunities; but economic development cannot gain momentum unless insurgency is curbed. There is vicious cycle to everything," says Ratna Gupta, a Guwahati-based social worker. In fact, he says the Government of India -- since the time of Atal Behari Vajpayee has been pushing the Look East Policy, but the results are not up to the mark.