At the foundation ceremony of a zonal sports complex on Assam Agriculture University campus in Jorhat, the minister said, "The Centre has planned to upgrade sports activities in the eight northeastern states. The Centre is paying attention to the development of this particular sector as it is full of potential."
"I'm hopeful that the northeastern states will be benefited with the Centre's funding, particularly for the development of sports here," Handique added.
Handique also expressed his satisfaction with the development activities of Assam Agricultural University and requested the university authorities to ensure thatthe good work is continued in days to come.
Assam Agricultural University vice chancellor Kamal Malla Bujarboruah, who presided over the meeting held on the occasion, said the university had taken up several development projects for betterment of the university infrastructure.
"A good number of projects have been undertaken by the university in order to develop the university infrastructure. The construction work of an international hostel worth Rs 1.5 crore, one additional girls' hostel worth Rs 1 crore, agricultural museum at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore and a sophisticated bio-technology centre worth Rs 10 crore are currently underway on the campus. Moreover, a DoNER."
The vice-chancellor also requested the DoNER minister to construct a North East Regional Agricultural Complex at Khanapara in Guwahati with facilities that include modern technologies.
"The Assam Agricultural University has a plot at Khanapara in Guwahati. We request the DoNER minister to extend his support in constructing a northeast regional agricultural complex on the land. If the complex is weel equipped with international seminar facilities, video conferencing facilities, international hostels and all other modern research facilities, it will be a hub of agricultural studies in this region," he added.