73rd NEC Plenary Meeting

73rd NEC Plenary Meeting

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Why in News

  • The 73rd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) outlined a complete strategy for regional development, focusing on the Ministry of Development of North-East Region (DoNER) acting as a key helper for growth matching the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

  • Following the 72nd NEC Plenary, Eight High-Level Task Forces prepared action plans for investment promotion, agriculture and horticulture, handicrafts, infrastructure and connectivity, economic corridors, livestock and fisheries, sports, and tourism.
  • A proposal has started to form a High-Level Steering Committee made up of Union Ministers and concerned Chief Ministers to closely check the work of the task force.
  • Grassroots financial inclusion grew fast by bringing 6,500 previously unbanked villages into the banking system, which pushed the region's digital payment adoption via UPI to nearly 90%.
  • Building famous travel circuits is given priority, especially the Matabari Tourism Circuit (Tripura) and the Sohra Tourism Circuit (Meghalaya), to help local people earn a steady living.
  • Cultural connection and scientific thinking are being promoted through the Ashtalakshmi Darshan Student Exchange Programme and special ISRO exposure visits for young people from the region.
  • States are pushing special items like Lakadong Turmeric (Meghalaya), Muga Silk (Assam), Kiwi (Arunachal Pradesh), Queen Pineapple (Tripura), and Organic Farming (Sikkim) under the OSOP initiative to boost exports and local earnings.
  • The Ministry of DoNER is working using the Three-C framework of Connect, Converge, and Catalyse to speed up policy work in the region.
  • Spending by DoNER grew from about Rs 1,000 crore in 2022-23 to a budget allocation of Rs 6,500 crore for FY 2026-27, showing a stronger focus on North East development.
  • The Rising North East Investment Summit brought in investment promises worth Rs 4.5 lakh crore.

About North Eastern Council

  • The NEC is a statutory body set up under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971, and works under the administrative control of the MDoNER.
  • It acts as the main agency for the economic and social development of the North Eastern Region, which includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
  • The Council has the Governors and Chief Ministers of all eight member states along with three members nominated by the President of India.
  • The Union Home Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairman, and the Minister of State (Independent Charge), DoNER acts as the ex-officio Vice-Chairman of the Council.