North East Council’s 73rd Plenary: Vision for Transformative Growth
In an illuminating session at the 73rd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and NEC Vice-Chairman, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, presented the Ministry’s innovative strategies and reviewed the proposals from eight High-Level Task Forces. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, and saw participation from various Governors, Chief Ministers, and senior officials representing the eight North Eastern States.
During his address, Shri Scindia emphasized that the DoNER Ministry has transformed into a facilitator and coordinator, dedicated to revolutionizing the region’s development through the Three-C framework of Connect, Converge, and Catalyse. He elaborated on recommendations made by the eight High-Level Task Forces instituted after the preceding NEC Plenary. These task forces covered essential areas including investment promotion, agriculture and horticulture, handicrafts, infrastructure, and connectivity.
Strategies for Future Development
The task forces, composed of Chief Ministers and representatives from both the Centre and States, put forth comprehensive action plans aimed at fostering future development in the North East. The Minister noted that these initiatives align with the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, aspiring for the North East to play a crucial role in that journey.
Shri Scindia pointed out that the proposals will be escalated to the NEC Chairman for further action. He proposed the formation of a High-Level Steering Committee, including relevant Chief Ministers and Union Ministers, to oversee the recommendations’ implementation.
Significant Achievements
Highlighting the accomplishments of the Ministry, he revealed that the financial outlay had surged from approximately ₹1,000 crore in 2022-23 to nearly ₹4,000 crore over the past two years, with a budget allocation of ₹6,500 crore for the ongoing financial year. Various reforms have been implemented to streamline project approvals, enhance transparency, and facilitate timely fund disbursements.
The Rising North East Investment Summit was a notable success, attracting participation from over 100 ambassadors and generating investment commitments estimated at ₹4.5 lakh crore. Since the summit held in May 2025, investments worth around ₹40,000 crore have already been initiated, signaling a growing trust in the region.
Promoting Financial Inclusion and Tourism
In terms of financial inclusion, the Minister reported that 131 new bank branches have been established across the North East in the last 15 months, bringing 6,500 previously unbanked villages into the formal banking network. Moreover, nearly 90 percent of the region has adopted digital payments through UPI.
The Minister also discussed initiatives like the Ashtalakshmi Darshan Student Exchange Programme and ISRO exposure visits, which have enriched learning experiences for students from the North East and other parts of India. Furthermore, the Ministry is developing iconic tourism circuits to showcase the unique cultural heritage and natural beauty of the region. Projects like the Matabari Tourism Circuit in Tripura and the Sohra Tourism Circuit in Meghalaya aim to bolster tourism infrastructure and create sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
One State One Product Initiative
Under the One State One Product initiative, each North Eastern State has identified a unique product that reflects its cultural identity and comparative advantage. This includes items such as Lakadong Turmeric from Meghalaya, Muga Silk from Assam, and Kiwi from Arunachal Pradesh. The initiative is designed to enhance value chains, improve branding, and facilitate market access for local artisans and farmers, promoting sustainable economic growth.
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