Lok Sabha member from Northeast and MoS for Rural Development Agatha Sangma supports the demand for a separate time zone for the region. Here is what she told Governance Now:

"A separate time zone is a genuine demand by the people of north east. Your magazine has rightly pointed out how one time zone for the entire country is detrimental to the productivity of the region.  Though the farmers of the area have largely adjusted to the daylight by tweaking with their time table, its the office-goers who are affected the most. By the time they reach office, a lot of daylight is already lost which affects the total output.

"A proactive effort is desired in this direction. I must admit, there has not been any concerted effort from the MPs of the region, however, I personally feel it should be taken up. I will take up the subject in the north east MPs forum and formulate a policy to pursue the demand."