| Backgrounder |
The North Eastern Council is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the North Eastern Region which consists of the eight States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The North Eastern Council was constituted in 1971 by an Act of Parliament. The constitution of the Council has marked the beginning of a new chapter of concerted and planned endeavour for the rapid development of the Region. Over the last forty years, NEC has been instrumental in setting in motion a new economic endeavour aimed at removing the basic handicaps that stood in the way of normal development of the region and has ushered in an era of new hope in this backward area full of great potentialities. NEC has come up with the roadmap for over all development and progress of North Eastern Region by implementing the NER Vision Document 2020 released by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on 2nd July 2008 in New Delhi. In an effort to translate the vision document into action a high-level Inter-Ministerial group has been constituted to provide guidelines and supervision the strategies and progress for inter-sectoral mobilization in the region. Some achievements are highlighted below:-
Transport and Communication Sector
NEC lays thrust on strengthening the case of development in NER with special emphasis on connectivity. More than 60 percent budget allocation of NEC is earmarked for the development of infrastructure, transport and communication. Apart from 9877.62 Kms. completed roads network, 56 new roads projects were selected for taking up during the 11th Five Year Plan, out of which 25 nos. have been given in-principle approval by the planning Commission. 15 Nos Projects have been approved by the expenditure and Standing Finance Committee for implementation.
Power Sector
Since inception, NEC has generated and augmented power to the tune of 694.50 MW of capacity addition (630 Hydro & 64.50 Thermal). The new Micro Hydel Power Generation in the North East Region including Sikkim will further increase by 6 MW in addition to presently installed capacity. NEC has also contributed 1772.44 Ckt Km of transmission line and 40 nos. of system improvement projects. Preparation of DPRs for strengthening of transmission and sub-transmission of Power Systems in NE Region including Sikkim has been entrusted to PGCIL.
AGRICULTURE & ALLIED
The NEC has taken up different activities such as pilot projects on double cropping, development of fisheries and animal husbandry. It has also taken up special initiatives for the establishment of Institutions/Centres of Excellence in the States for promotion of animal husbandry in general and veterinary care in particular, for promotion of agriculture extension services, for promotion of biotechnology, horticulture, etc. A new initiative on the development of schemes leading to the development of modern piggery as an advanced livelihood activity has been also initiated. Nagaland Bee-keeping & Honey Mission (NBHM funded by the NEC is an example of a special initiative. Funding the NEC-IFAD Rural Livelihood projects, NERCORMP(Phase-II) in 6 districts of the NER, after a very successful completion of Phase-I, which is to be implemented over a period of 6 years, at a total cost of Rs. 20000.00 lakhs.
INDUSTRY
With the launching of NEIIPP – 2007 by the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the bulk of the task is handled by the Ministry. However, NEC of late, has been supporting projects mainly on capacity building on bamboo related product. Important project include project for Rehabilitation of Surrendered Militant in Tripura, UNIDO-CBTC Phase –II project, Establishment of Bamboo Technology Part at Byrnihat etc. NEC has also commissioned a study on development of border traders in the region to the RIS, New Delhi to highlight the salient aspect of border treat along the boundaries of North Eastern States. Project on livelihood development through Pilot enterprise for re-habilitation of surrendered militants by the Govt. of Tripura taken up where Bamboo based products will be made.
TOURISM
That the act of promotion of tourism could be streamlined and appropriately planned, NEC has taken up the task of preparation of a Comprehensive Tourism Master Plan for the region through commissioning of the expertise of M/s Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Mumbai. On 8th April, 2011, M/s TCS gave a presentation of their findings at the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in presence of all the Govt. Stakeholders including the representative of the 8 States Govts. of the region. The final report is expected shortly. NEC has included in its Plan, programmes such as – Support to Projects related to Tourism in NER, Capacity Building in Tourism and Hospitality sector, development of Inter-State Tourist Circuits, renovation of IB/Tourist Lodge/Guest Houses owned by State Govts. and Publicity Campaign for promotion of Tourism. Construction of Yatriniwas-cum-NEC Guest house at Paltan Bazar Gwahati dully completed and inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam in the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister DoNER and Chairman NEC.The seven stories building will cater to the accommodation requirement of tourist etc.
HEALTH
NEC has been providing financial assistance for up-gradation of infrastructure facilities for the existing hospitals as well as creation of hospitals in the remote areas of the North East where such facilities are yet to be set. With regard to manpower development in medical, paramedical and allied health disciplines, NEC has been providing financial resources for up-gradation of infrastructure facilities and seats are allocated to all the NE States so that development of such manpower takes place equitably.
HRD & EMPLOYMENT
NEC has been extending financial support to Meritorious students of North Eastern States. More than 10,000 students have been benefitted so far. Support for infrastructure development of sports, education, social sector, etc. is also extended. A number of Sports Stadium have been constructed across the states. Football Academy at Kolasib, Mizoram and Tennis Academy at Imphal are under construction. Development of Schools and College infrastructure such as Sikkim College of Science, ITI Tabarijoo, construction of Tribal hostel at Chandanpur, Science Lab at Thambal college, Music College at Nagaland etc are underway. Capacity building programmes for unemployed North Eastern Youth are also conducted. NEC has trained more than 6000 youths under this scheme ranging from IT, BPO, Aircraft maintenance, Beauty Care, CAD/CAM Ayurvedic Thearphy, Plastic processing, Banana fiber extraction, Tourism and Hospitality Management etc.
Dr. T.Ao Football Tournament was constituted for the North Eastern region to be held annually amongst the states. The Second such tournament was held at Manipur during Nov,2010. North Eastern Council Chairman’s Sports Award for excellence has been constituted where cash awards are being given to medal winners in Commonwealth, Asian and National Games. A 500 seaters Rajiv Gandhi girls hostel for students of NE States is under construction at Delhi University. Working Women Hostel at Delhi also under construction. To improve Maths and Science teaching in the NE, Teachers Trainings are being conducted.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
The NEC has also initiated the following :
(i) Strengthen Geo-Informatics Application for Rural Development (C-GARD) Laboratory in NER, (ii) Support of e-Governance schemes to the respective Boards of School Education/Education Deptt. in the States of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim with Online connectivity to schools, (iii) I.T. education infrastructure has been extended to 194 schools in Meghalaya, Manipur and Sikkim and (iv)Computerization of Food & Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs department.
INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Apart from the usual work of bringing out achievements and newsletter about the NEC, as part of its initiative for development of Art and Culture, NEC has taken up project for Preservation & Promotion of Archeological Park at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh for Rs. 370.00 lakhs, of which Rs. 120.00 lakhs was already released as first installment.
EVALUATION & MONITORING
Projects funded by NEC are being monitored on a regular basis. Evaluation studies are being carried out by the Central/State Government institutions/Organizations so that the socio-economic impact of such projects are known. To strengthen the monitoring mechanism in the NEC Secretariat, an initiative has been taken to appoint Consultants for this purpose but due to non-availability of suitable candidates as per the eligibility criteria, the same has been re-advertised. Seminars Symposiums/Workshops etc. which have regional impact in the NER are being sponsored to various colleges and other educational institution.
IFC & WSM
One of the main activities of the IFC & WSM sector is to administer and run the North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM), Tezpur, Assam. The Institute has imparted training to many persons which include professionals, farmers, NGOs. Etc. During the 11th Five Year Plan, the IFC & WSM sector has sanctioned 10 Hydro Electric projects, 5 Irrigation projects, 19 Flood Control and River Management projects and 1 Watershed Management project in different States of the NE Region except Sikkim. In Sikkim, NEC has sanctioned 8 Water Supply and anti-erosion projects during the period in question.