On the eve of the 72nd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Agartala, a series of Pre-Plenary Thematic and Technical Sessions set the stage for fruitful discussions on regional development under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The sessions, held on Friday, featured presentations from various central ministries highlighting key developmental agendas for the North Eastern Region (NER). Union Minister of State for DoNER, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, in his address, underscored the strategic and cultural significance of the region, describing it as a “critical bridge for regional connectivity, trade, and diplomacy.”
Dr. Majumdar emphasized the Government of India’s commitment to the NER, citing substantial investments in connectivity, including the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme and programs like SARDP-NE and Bharatmala-I. He also highlighted the success of initiatives such as the Union Ministers’ frequent visits to NER, which he said have been instrumental in understanding local aspirations and ensuring effective implementation of government schemes.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges such as border trade development, smart cities, digital infrastructure, and sustainable farming, urging stakeholders to collaborate to overcome these hurdles. “Through collective efforts of central ministries, state governments, and other stakeholders, we can unlock the immense potential of the North East,” Dr. Majumdar stated.
In the technical session, discussions were held on six important sectors which are fundamental for giving further boost to the development of the region namely, National Palm Oil Mission and leveraging North East for increasing Palm Oil Acreage, 4G Saturation Project (State Dependencies, Financial Inclusion (Opening of Bank/IPPB Branch in Uncovered Villages, Unelectrified Villages, Road Connectivity and PM Electric Drive Revolution.
Key Highlights of Pre-Plenary Sessions:
- Development and Investment Initiatives:
- NEC Secretary Shri Angshuman Dey outlined significant strides made since the previous Plenary, including the upcoming North East Investor Summit and the launch of the UNNATI (Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme), 2024, to drive industrial growth and employment.
- Palm Oil Production Potential:
- Discussions highlighted the region’s pivotal role in achieving self-reliance in edible oil through the National Palm Oil Mission. With six states offering vast potential for oil palm cultivation across 8.4 lakh hectares, the region is poised to lead the nation in this sector.
- Technical Deliberations:
- Key topics included enhancing financial inclusion, 4G saturation projects, road connectivity, and electrification of remote villages under the PM Electric Drive Revolution initiative.
NEC Secretary Shri Angshuman Dey expressed satisfaction with the collaborative approach, noting that the pre-plenary sessions provide a platform for addressing challenges and aligning efforts for regional growth. Similarly, Secretary DoNER Shri Chanchal Kumar lauded the informative presentations, emphasizing the need for coordinated action to ensure the effective execution of development schemes.
Tomorrow’s Plenary Session is expected to build upon today’s discussions and reinforce the Government’s commitment to transforming the North Eastern Region into a hub of connectivity, trade, and sustainable development.
(Tripura, Northeast)