Upset with Jaitley's budget: Meghalaya CM

Shillong, July 10 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma Thursday said he was upset with the Narendra Modi government's maiden budget presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for not including promotion of trade between India's northeastern states and neighbouring countries.

"The budget speech, though generating lot of promises, there was nothing comprehensive for us. There was expectation for a 'comprehensive support system' for the northeastern states," Sangma told journalists.

Stating that the northeast continues to remain like a "caged bird" dependent on the central government, Sangma said: "We are capable of flying" and the region too can contribute to the nation's development.

He said the international "boundaries of conflict" that the region shares with other countries need to be transformed into "boundaries of prosperity" through enhanced trade and commerce.

"There was high expectation that there will be a mention in the budget speech on promotion of trade and commerce with the neighbouring countries in the region but it was missing. I will take up this matter jointly with my counterparts from the region on this issue with Prime Minister Modi."

Sangma said the region needed more road and rail projects.

"Stretches along the international border should be connected by road... in order to connect the state with the Chittagong sea port in Bangladesh," he said.