Himanta calls for “Geographic Equity” to drive inclusive growth towards Viksit Bharat 2047

way2barak, June 13: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday advocated for a new development framework centred on “Geographic Equity” during NITI Aayog’s interaction with Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of the North Eastern states in the national capital.

He said, “India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 must focus not only on expanding economic growth but also on ensuring that growth reaches every region of the country.”

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that “while the first phase of India’s transformation was dedicated to accelerating growth, the next phase should concentrate on broadening the geography of growth so that all regions can participate fully in the opportunities created by development.”

Sarma noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the North East has moved from the margins of national discourse to the centre of policymaking. He highlighted major improvements in connectivity, infrastructure development, peace initiatives and the implementation of the Act East Policy, which have significantly enhanced the strategic importance of the region.

According to the Chief Minister, these efforts have created a strong foundation for economic expansion and greater integration of the North East with the rest of the country.

Sarma proposed that public investment in strategically important but geographically challenging regions should be assessed through the lens of national integration, regional balance and long-term competitiveness rather than expenditure efficiency alone.

He described this approach as the principle of ‘Geographic Equity,’ arguing that it would help bridge regional disparities while strengthening national economic cohesion.