The 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) was recently held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where leaders of all eight Northeastern States discussed the North East Vision Plan 2047 and regional development priorities.

About the North Eastern Council (NEC)

The North Eastern Council is the apex regional planning and coordinating body for Northeast India.

• It was established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 as a statutory advisory body.
• It operates under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
• It comprises the eight Northeastern States – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
• The Union Home Minister serves as its  ex-officio Chairperson, it also comprises Governors and Chief Ministers of constituent States and three members nominated by the President.
  • Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region(DoNER) serves as the Vice Chairman.
• It is under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern Region (MDoNER).
• The council while formulating a regional plan for North Eastern states shall give priority to the schemes and projects benefiting two or more states provided that in the case of Sikkim,the Council shall formulate specific projects and schemes for that State.

Objectives of NEC

• It aims to promote balanced economic and social development across the Northeast.
• It seeks to strengthen regional cooperation and cooperative federalism.
• It focuses on improving connectivity, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, skill development and investment promotion.
• It acts as a platform for coordinated planning among the Northeastern States and the Central Government.

Key Highlights of the 73rd Plenary Session

• Leaders deliberated on the North East Vision Plan 2047, a long-term roadmap for transforming the region into a hub of economic growth, innovation and sustainability by the centenary year of India’s Independence.
• Discussions focused on tourism, logistics, agriculture and horticulture, sports, infrastructure, handloom and handicrafts, and investment promotion.
• Progress of Chief Minister-led High-Level Task Forces on critical development sectors was reviewed.
• The meeting also assessed outcomes of the North East Investment Summit and various initiatives of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

Exam Hook (Prelims)

With reference to the North Eastern Council (NEC), consider the following statements:

1. It was established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971.
2. It functions under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
3. Sikkim is a member of the North Eastern Council.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

One-Line Wrap

The North Eastern Council is the apex regional planning institution that drives coordinated development, connectivity and economic transformation across Northeast India.