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The UPA government is committed towards the goal of rapid development of the North Eastern region of the country, and the North East Council (NEC) will act as a catalyst in the process by co-ordinating between various central ministries and state governments. This was stated by the Minister for Development of North-Eastern Region (DONER) Shri P R Kyndiah in an exclusive interview to All India Radio.
Targeting greater investments in infrastructure and more jobs for the educated youth would be the top priority before the North East Council, he said. Shri Kyndiah takes over as the Chairman of the reformed and revitalised NEC. He pointed out that NEC is only one part of the concerted effort of the UPA government to address all the developmental issues faced by the region. He said that for the first time there is a Prime Minister represents a North Eastern state in the parliament and there are three ministers from the region in the Union Cabinet.
Replying a question on the significant changes made in the composition of the NEC, he said the decision to associate Member (North East), Planning Commission as one of the member of the NEC will go a long way in getting more plan funds to the region. Shri Kyndiah also listed the other significant steps announced by him in the Parliament earlier this week:-
Organisational and functional restructuring of NEC Secretariat;
Setting up of sectoral empowered committees;
Financing of regional plan from General Budgetry Support instead of Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources;
Monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
Increased role of NEC in border trade; and
Operationalising NEC’s mandate relating to security and public order.
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