Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the 71st plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong.

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.

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