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The NEC in its meeting at Shillong chartered out a plan of development and peace in the region. In his opening remarks the Chairman of the NEC and Minister for Development of North East, Shri P.R. Kyndiah expressed confidence that it was very much possible to bring peace and prosperity to the region.
The meeting came up with several important suggestions for development of the region. It was decided that a perspective plan for the next 15 years i.e. upto 2020 should be visualised. The Regional Plan should integrate the State Plan of all the States of NER and Sikkim and merge these with the national objectives. The NER Vision 2020 being formulated by NEC would take note of the Govt. of India’s ‘Look East’ policy in terms of communication, trade, commerce and marketing with a view to integrating the region’s economy with that of South East Asia. There should be a paradigm shift in the planning process involving the people upto the grass root level in the entire process.
Shri Kyndiah also suggested taking up a programme for promotion of sports and games relevant to the region in close association with the State Govts and State level Sports Body. Keeping in view the ensuing National Games being held at Guwahati and the Commonwealth Games being held in Delhi, promising youths of this region in selected sports/games could be nurtured and prepared for such events. These activities, he said, would keep the youths usefully engaged and give them a sense of pride and reduce feeling of isolation.
The NEC also suggested that the following measures should be taken to facilitate faster socio-economic development of NER and Sikkim; (a) If the 32,000 MW power potential at 60% load factor is harnessed, estimated revenue of Rs.36,000.00 crore can be earned per annum. In addition to hydel potential, if the available gas is harnessed, North-East could become a major power supplier and could even export power; (b) Schemes having potentials with involvement of masses, like Bamboo Mission, Border Trade Mission, Horticulture Mission etc. may be launched and implemented in right earnest; (c) Creation of employment opportunities by imparting training in vocational courses and through outsourcing in the service sector; (d) Utilization and maintenance of the existing infrastructure; (e) effective marketing and promotion of efforts be made to market the region’s bounties for economic prosperity.
The NEC felt that there should be a better air connectivity in the North East and suggested that there should be a dedicated airline for this region. It said that the first priority should be to provide connectivity between the States capitals with other airports in the region included in the loops as feasible. With these aircraft, it would be possible to immediately connect more airports in the region. These aircrafts can be stationed at Guwahati.
This was the second meeting of the restructured North Eastern Council as statutory Planning Body of NER and it was held on 22nd of June, 2005.
AVC/LG
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