SHILLONG: Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the 71st Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at the State Convention Centre in Shillong, on Friday.
Addressing the gathering, Shah acknowledged the Northeast’s historical challenges, encompassing ethnic, linguistic, border, and extremist issues.
However, he asserted that the past decade has ushered in a new era of enduring peace, dubbing it the “Golden period of the Northeast” when compared to the 75 years post-independence.
Attributing this positive transformation to strategic policies, Shah highlighted the Centre’s commitment to the region, highlighting the principles of “Act East, Act Fast, and Act First” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“The last 10 years of the Modi government have been a golden era for the Northeast. With an unprecedented focus on infrastructure development and conflict resolution, the region is today shifting away from its history of blockades & unrest and pacing towards creating a peaceful and developed Northeast,” he posted on a micro-blogging website, post the meeting.
The release of the NEC Year Book – 2024 coincided with the event, providing a comprehensive overview of the region’s progress.
Shah called upon all states to manage Gross Fiscal Deficit effectively, commending Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Tripura for commendable efforts in this regard.
Shah outlined key priorities for the region, urging a collective push for a flood-free and drug-free Northeast.
He advocated leveraging the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) to enhance water management, proposing the creation of expansive lakes to absorb rainwater, boost tourism, and fortify water supply and irrigation systems.
Reflecting on the significant decline in violent incidents in the region, Shah shared statistics indicating a 73% reduction in incidents from 2004 to 2014, further dropping to 3114 from 2014 to 2023.
He attributed this decline to the surrender of over 8900 militants in the last five years, highlighting the interconnectedness of peace and development.
Stressing on the government’s commitment to resolving pending issues, Shah mentioned the signing of nine agreements and substantial reduction of areas under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in 2018.
Financial commitment to the Northeast was a focal point, with Shah revealing a substantial increase of 162% in the budget allocation for the years 2022-23 to 2025-26, reaching Rs. 4800 crores.
Notable allocations included Rs. 1500 crores in PM-DevINE, increased budgetary support, and initiatives like the National Edible Oil Mission.
Shah concluded by highlighting ongoing schemes, including the SAMBHAV scheme, focusing on providing basic facilities to Gram Panchayats and councils across the region.
