North East Development

8/10/2019 North East Development

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(There is enough covered on Security, Border issues, Immigration and Insurgency regarding North

East in Sep and Oct Articles. Overview of some Developmental perspectives pertaining to NE Here)

Indias North East Development: Issues and Perspectives

1.

Introduction2. Basic Deficits

3. Development Initiatives

4. NEC

5. NLCPR

6. MoDONER

7. Development of trade and exports

8. International Funds for NER

9. Critical Areas Development under 12th

FYP Development of trade and exports

10.Special Package for North-East Region During Twelfth Plan

11.

Vision 202012. LEP

1. Introduction:

Though the potential of NER is more, the development is much less compare to the rest of the

region.

The GoI took special care in addressing the other Autonomy, Insurgency, Extremists issues through

its development initiatives.

Developments got more progress after Administrative powers are envisaged under Schedule six and

Part IX and Part IXA of the constitution in NER.

2. Basic Deficits of NER:

The High-Level Commission appointed by the then Prime Minister in its report submitted in 1997(India, 1997) has stated that there are four basic deficits confronting the North East:

1. Basic needs deficit;2. Infrastructure deficit;

3. Resource deficit; and

4. Two-way deficit of understanding with the rest of the country..

3. Development Initiatives:

GoI with supplementary development efforts of states in NER made several initiatives. They are:

1. North Eastern Council(NEC)

2. Non-Lapsable central pool of Resources(NLCPR)3.Hill Area Development Program(HADP)

4. Border Area Development Program(BADP)

5. Special Central Assistance (SCA)

6. Special Plan Assistance(SPA)

7. Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF)

8. Setting up of Min of Development of North East Region (MoDONER)


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4. North Eastern Council:

Constituted in 1971 by an act of parliament- North Eastern Councils Act, 1917.

Most important regional planning and advisory body of the central government.

Consists of Governors and Chief ministers of the 8 states and three members nominated by the

prime minister.

Formulates and forwards proposals to Union, especially regarding the regional plan, efficient

placement of land use activities and infrastructure across large area of land.

Reviews and Recommends Projects/Schemes included in the regional plan and how they should be

executed and managed.

Reviews the progress of expenditure and recommends the Union on financial assistance for the

implementation of the any project.

Recommends State/Central on necessary surveys/investigations of the projects for the inclusion of

new projects in the regional plan.

Reviews measures taken by the states to maintain security and public order and recommends further

necessary measured.

The act amended in 2002 to include more functions under the council in implementation and

coordination of schemes/Projects.

5. Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources(NLCPR):

Created by GoI in 1998 to support infrastructure development projects in NER.

The funds acquire from the unspent balance out of the mandatory provisions of 10% of Gross

Budgetary support (GBS)made for NER from the budget of central ministries.

Unutilized portions of funds earmarked by non-exempted ministries (From10% of GBS) surrenderedat the close of every FY into NLCPR.

MoDONER sanctions infra projects of NER out of those NLCPR funds as per priority of states and

Backwardness.

6. Min of Development of North East Region (MoDONER):

Created in 2001 and granted status in 2004 as full-fledged ministry.

Purpose- Facilitate relations and works between central ministries, Departments and states of NER

regard to economic development.

Improves functions of Infra, Eco friendly Investments for sustainable peace and stability.

Takes care of issues of Planning, Execution, Monitoring of Schemes/Projects.

According to the Business Rules 1961, the NEC and NLCPR were included as subjects of DONER.

Others follow.

1. Road Works financed by central as whole or part of NER.

2. Planning of Roads and Inland waterways transport.

3. HADP and BADP in NER.


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4. North Eastern Development Finance Institution.

5. North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd.

6. The Sikkim Mining Corporation.

7. The North Eastern Handlooms and Handicrafts Development Corporation.

7.

Development of Trade and Exports in NER:

PMs Action Plan for NE- Introduced in 2000 under Dept. of Commercefor

Monitoring/Implementation of measures of Developmental of Trade&Exports.

Monitoring/Implementations of the Recommendations of Task Force on Development of Border

Trade and Inter-Country Tradefrom NER setup on the recommendations of Shukla

Committee.

The task force will have functionsgiven below:

1. To deal with all matters relating to exports/imports from/to NE.

2. To promote exports from NER and esp. for boosting trade with neighboring countries.

3.

To implement PMs Action Plan.4. To service the empowered committee constituted under PMs Action Plan

5. To administer the export development fund for the NER.

8. International Funds for NE:

(i) ADB:Asian Development Bank

North Eastern State Roads Project (NESRP)

The objective of the Project proposal is to upgrade about 1,300 kilometers of roads, includingthe construction of 5,500 meters of bridges and construction of 4,700 meters of Causeway Irish

crossings.

An additional Technical Assistance has been mobilized by the Ministry from the AsianDevelopment Bank (ADB) which aims at building capacities of State PWDs by introducing (i)

computer-based road asset management tools and (ii) state-of-the art project managementtechniques prior to the implementation of NESRP.

North Eastern Urban Development Project (NEUDP)

The North Eastern Urban Development Project (NEUDP)(Phase-1) seeks to improve urbaninfrastructure in five capital cities viz. Agartala, Aizawl, Gangtok, Kohima and Shillong.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB)s Technical Assistance for the North Eastern Urban

Development Project (NEUDP)(Phase-II) covering Guwahati, Imphal, Itanagar and

Dibrugarh, is also scheduled.

North Eastern States Trade Investment Creation Initiative Project

The Project seeks to develop a trade and investment framework that will enable NorthEastern India to better position itself to participate in global and regional markets and toreap the considerable gains from specialization, agglomeration economies and

globalization.

A draft Report has been prepared and has been circulated to the States and Central

Ministries for their comments.


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(ii) World Bank

Natural Resources, Water & Environment Nexus for Development and Growth

The objective of the study is to develop a vision for the development and management ofwater and related natural resource/environmental issues in the Northeast for sustainableand equitable growth.

North East Region Livelihoods Project (NERLP)

The Ministry have initiated discussions with the World Bank on the feasibility of a

North-East Region Livelihoods Project (NERLP). The project proposal is based on the

IFAD assisted NER Community Resource Management Project (NERCRMP) which

has been successfully implemented in two district each of Meghalaya, Assam andManipur.

A Preliminary Project Report for NERLP was prepared by the Ministry in consultationwith the Planning Commission and referred to the World Bank through DEA. The World

Bank has since agreed to develop and assist in implementation of the proposed project.

The World Bank has fielded a Mission in December, 2006 to carry out a preliminary

assessment and develop the project.

9. Critical Areas Development under 12th

FYP:

Roads

1. EastWest Corridor(670 KM in Assam) by NHAI.

2. All stretches of SARDP-NEconnecting State Capitals/District Headquarters,(including NH-39 and NH-53 in Manipur, NH-31A in Sikkim).

3. Strategic border roads,

4. Trans-Arunachal Highwayalong with identified district connectivity.5. Roads connecting Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project,

6. Important bridges include DholaSadia over Brahmaputra and all other crucial

bridges on the major road projects.

7. Four-lane highway from Tizit in the north to Dimapur via TuliJalukieKhelma(proposed by the State Government for survey in investigation and DPR preparation,

and so on).

Railways

1. Broad Gauge (line conversion)connecting GuwahatiDibrugharTinsukia,

RangiaMurkongselek Bridge (rail-cum-road) across Brahmaputra at Bogibeel.

2. BG route from New Moinaguri to Jogighopa.3. BG route from LumdingSilchar and KumarghatAgartalaSamboom.

4. New lines: AgartalaAkhura, TeteliaByrnihatShillong, HarmutiItanagar,

SilcharJiribamImphal (Tupul).

Airways

Major works for upgradation of airports are:

Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Agartala, Shillong, Imphal and Dimapur; and

New airports at Itanagar, Ceithu (Kohima), Pakyong (Gangtok). In addition, thereare smaller airports, ALGs to be upgraded in Arunachal Pradesh.

Inland Waterways IWT development in the Brahmaputra and Barak National Waterway.

Power

1. Long-term health of power sector seriously undermined (losses `70,000 crore per

year). However, aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses are slowlycoming down. State Governments must push distribution reform.

2. Hydropower developmentseriously hindered by forest and environment


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clearance procedures. Need to look at special dispensation for these States,

especially Arunachal Pradesh.3. A time-bound plan to operationalize development and evacuation of hydropower

from NER required. Road connectivity an issue for expeditious project completion.

4. Given limited connectivity of NER with other parts of the country (through Siliguri

corridor), access through Bangladesh needs to be explored.5. Electricity tariffs not being revised to reflect rising costs. Regulators are being held

back from allowing justified tariff increases.

Agriculture and

Allied Sectors

1. The growth has to be more rapid and inclusive; the focus has to be on better

performance in agriculture, irrigation, drinking water health services, better educationin the rural and remote areas, rural connectivity, improved delivery

system and governance. Farm-based economic activitiesHorticulture, Animal

Husbandry, Fisheries, Poultry, and so on, have to be the prime drivers.

2. Post-harvest management and marketing infrastructure requiredto beattended to by dovetailing of programmes/schemes between Central Ministries and the

State Governments for filling up gaps in infrastructure.

3. There has to be continued emphasis on creation of employment opportunities.During 11th

plan, there is a general feeling of improvement in the security and law andorder scenario. Efforts needed. The initiatives so far have created some momentum of

development. This to be continued with all possible support from the Centre.

Water

Management/Flood

Moderation

North East Water Resource Authorityfor flood moderation is pending for a long

time. Erosion particularly in the Brahmaputra Valley and Barak Valleyis a major

concern expressed by the State of Assam in various forums. It has to be recognized asa national issue. There is no scheme to take care of the impact of large-scale erosion

which is a recurring feature in the State. This needs to be attended seriously.

Education/Skill

Development/Health

1. Focus on quality of education. Investment in teachers training and evaluation.

Use distance education infrastructure for quick completion in the North-East.

2. Social, gender and regional gaps in education need special attention. Specialemphasis on capacity building and skill developmentwith focus on curriculum isneeded. State-specific approach for creation of opportunities for employment

generation may be taken up. Reforms in vocational educationto ensureemployability in the changing market would help.3. Development and operationalization of PPP models in school and higher

educationand focus on increase in seats in medical colleges, nursing

Textile

1. Major Schemes of Min Of Textiles Includes Handlooms(IHDS, Mill Gate Pricing

Scheme etc), Power looms(TUST, TMTT,NIFT etc), Sericulture(CDP, HRD, Seed

organization etc.,), Handicrafts(AHVY, Comprehensive welfare schemes, Design and

technical Upgradation scheme etc.,),

2. New Schemes: i. Comprehensive Handloom Development Scheme.ii. North Eastern Textile Promotion Scheme.

iii Scheme for Usage of Geotextiles in North Eastern States.

iv. Scheme for promoting Agro textiles in North East


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10.Special Package for North-East Region During Twelfth Plan for tourism:

The Min of Tourism extends financial assistance to the State Governments/Union TerritoryAdministrations including the States of the North Eastern Region, for tourism related projects which

are identified every year in consultation and interaction with them under the following schemes.1. Product Infrastructure Development of Destinations/Circuits

2. Assistance to Large Revenue Generating Projects

3. Information Technology4. Fairs/Festival and Events

Specifically, media campaigns are launched to promote the entire NER.

The Min of Tourism provides complimentary space to the North Eastern States in India pavilions setup at major international travel fairs & exhibitions.

Further, In relaxation of CCS (LTC) Rules 1988, the GoI has decided to permit Governmentservants to travel by air to NER on LTC as follows:-

(i) Group A and Group B Central Government employees will be entitled to travel by Air

from their place of posting or nearest airport to a city in the NER or nearest airport.(ii) Other categories of employees will be entitled to travel by air to a city in the NER from

Guwahati or Kolkata.(iii) All Central Government employees will be allowed conversion of one block of Home

Town LTC into LTC for destinations in NER.

11.VISION 2020:

Released in 2008, On implementation of the document 17 thematic Working Groups wereconstituted comprising various Ministries, state governments of NER and sectoral experts.

Salient Features of the VISION 2020 Document Follow:

1. Improve Indices of development of the region to catch up with the rest of the region.

2.

Structural transformation of economies of NE states by effecting significant changes indevelopment strategies to achieve higher growth rates of GSDP to equal to national averages.

3. Poverty eradication based on participatory planning and with private sector participation forgrowth.

4. Maximizing self-Governance by building capacity of the people, Institutions and

traditional/Local institutions to enable participation in growth process.5. Harnessing available local resources for development.

6. Strengthening of infrastructure.

7. Expand Trade and commerce.

8. Effective governance for establishment and harmony.

12.

Look East Policy on NER:

promoting industrial development and investmentin the Northeast and projecting the region asa\ potential driver of the LEP.

With the growing realization of the urgency of the development of the Northeast and its strategicimportance to further advance the objectives of the Look East policy, India has adopted a three-

pronged approach ofoffering incentives, developing infrastructure, and marketing the asset.


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Thailand: Important sectors identified for Thai investment areagro-business and foodprocessing industries, energy, communications, and tourism. IndiasNortheast is very rich in these

resource and, therefore, offers huge potential for local industrial development and economic

growth.

Agro-based and food processingsectors have been identified as one of the most important areas

of Thai investment as the region offers immense opportunities in terms of raw-material for theseindustries and also in terms of an extremely large market to the Thai Small and Medium

Enterprises (SMEs), which are engaged in these industries.

Connecting china with Thailand through road via NE

China: Promotion of Border Trade at Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.

Bangladesh:Bus Service from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka; Access to Chittagong Port; Properimplementation of Water Transit and Trade(WTT)

Myanmar: Implementation of Kadalan Multimodal Transit project; Regular trade status boththe sides; Expanding Indo-Myanmar trade agreement; Banking systemswith foreignexchange in borders; Construction of roads in Rhi-Tidim, Rhi-Falam.

(In the article I avoided numbers, Data = Less useful in the last Minutes)

END

(In case of any Wrong data, infos are deeply regretted. Correction and return intimation are welcomed.

Name:Marudavanan.S

References:

1. Vision 2020 Document/ MoDONER.

2. pib.nic.in.

3. 12th

FYP.

Documents

North East Development