Agartala, 22 December (MTNews): Addressing the 72nd Plenary Session of the NEC Governing Council in Agartala on December 21, 2024, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, emphasized that the North Eastern Council (NEC) has been functioning as a statutory regional planning body since 1971. He acknowledged the pioneering work done by the NEC for the development of the region and expressed his gratitude.
The Chief Minister noted that, despite nearly 50 years since its establishment, the region still faces a significant development deficit compared to the developed states in mainland India. He remarked that the NEC, set up to address the region’s special needs, requires more resources to fulfill its purpose. However, over the years, the functional autonomy of the NEC, as intended by Parliament, has been significantly diluted, rendering its role increasingly insignificant.
The Chief Minister reiterated concerns raised during previous plenary sessions about the diminishing role of the NEC and the need for enhanced fund allocation. He urged the NEC Chairman to consider increasing the budgetary allocation and delegating more powers to sanction projects, enabling the NEC to address the regional aspirations of the Northeastern states effectively.
While expressing gratitude to the Government of India for initiatives under schemes like PM DevINE and NESIDS (ROADS), the Chief Minister pointed out that the financial outlay for Nagaland under PM DevINE for 2022-26 is only ₹561 crore, and under NESIDS (ROADS), it is ₹276.69 crore. He described these allocations as insufficient to undertake major infrastructural projects. He urged the Minister to enhance the budgetary allocation for these schemes to enable impactful development projects that align with the region’s aspirations.
The Chief Minister also highlighted delays in project approvals and clearances by NITI Aayog and Line Ministries, which hinder the timely implementation of schemes and projects. He proposed a structured timeline for the approval process:
- December/January: States submit priority lists.
- April/May: Priority lists submitted to the Ministry of DoNER/NEC.
- June/July: Approval granted by the Ministry.
- August/September: Tendering process initiated.
- October: Work orders issued.
- November: Work begins, ensuring completion before the monsoon.
The Chief Minister emphasized that Nagaland, with its limited resource base, is unable to independently undertake capital projects and critical infrastructure. He highlighted several key projects submitted by the state, including:
- Construction of an airport at Ciethu, Kohima, the only state capital in India without an airport.
- The Foothill Road project to promote urbanization and industrialization.
- Completion of the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex in Dimapur to advance sports development.
- Establishment of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) to serve as a national institute fostering youth exchanges and integration with the rest of the country.
He requested the Ministry of DoNER and the NEC to support these projects and coordinate with relevant agencies for their approval, which would accelerate economic development and address infrastructure gaps.
In conclusion, the Chief Minister thanked the NEC Chairman for the opportunity to discuss regional development and suggested hosting NEC plenary sessions on a rotational basis among the Northeastern states. This approach, he said, would foster inclusivity and shared responsibility in regional planning and decision-making.
He also mentioned that Nagaland remains peaceful and recently hosted the successful 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival 2024.
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