Home Minister Rajnath Singh chairs meeting of CMs of states bordering China

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the first meeting of CMs of 5 states on Indo-China border here on Saturday. Smt Sanjeevanee Kutty, secretary, Department of Border Management, MHA presented the agenda of the meeting and apprised all about the programmes and initiatives being undertaken for the development of infrastructure and other facilities in border areas. A presentation by the Director General, ITBP, Shri Krishna Chaudhary followed.

The home minister noted that the Sino-Indian border is largely not demarcated, the terrain is hostile and extremely cold. He reiterated the importance of boosting infrastructure and initiatives for peace along the entire 3448 km-long border. While effusive in his praise for the service rendered by ITBP, he said that the Centre was serious about addressing and overcoming all types of challenges.

Later, Singh announced an increase in the Central assistance for BAPAD (Border Area Development Programmes) to Rs 1100 crore, an increase of Rs 110 from fiscal 2016-17.