Explainer / North Eastern Council

Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu advised the North Eastern Council (NEC) to propel the region on a resurgent phase of accelerated development by quickly resolving issues that have been impeding its progress.

The NEC is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the North-eastern region comprising eight states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. 

Addressing a workshop on ‘Changing Role of North-Eastern Council in the Development of North-Eastern Region’, the Vice-President said India’s progress cannot be complete if there is uneven progress in various regions.

Recalling that the 69th Plenary meeting of the NEC held in January had identified two key issues of resolving inter-state border disputes and attracting private investments, the Vice-President said private investment needs to be promoted through encouraging entrepreneurship, venture funds, startups and skill development.

North Eastern Council (NEC)

• The North Eastern Council (NEC) was constituted as a statutory advisory body by an Act of Parliament under the NEC Act, 1971 marking the beginning of a new chapter of concerted and planned endeavour for rapid socio-economic development of the Northeastern region.

• It started functioning in November 1972 in Shillong.

• Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in December, 2002, Sikkim was added as eighth Member State, and NEC was mandated to function as a statutory regional planning body for the Northeast region. 

• It provides financial assistance for a variety of projects including infrastructure projects like construction of roads, improving air connectivity, etc, through state governments.

• Over the years, the Council has played a significant role in ushering development in the region at a time when most states were in their formative stages. 

• Road and air connectivity was supported, foundations for important regional institutions were established, and various socio-economic infrastructures were created across the length and breadth of the region, making a difference in the lives of the people and thereby earning a lot of goodwill in the local community. 

• NEC is under the administrative control of the ministry of development of north eastern region (DoNER).

• The NEC comprises governors and chief ministers of constituent states and three members nominated by the President. 

• Union home minister is ex-officio chairman and the minister of state, ministry of development of north eastern region (DoNER) is the ex-officio vice-chairman of the NEC.

Additional reading: Five Zonal Councils in India.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store