In a compelling address during the 71st Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong on January 19, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, proclaimed the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership as the most pivotal period for the Northeast’s development since independence.
Amit Shah highlighted the reduction in geographical and emotional distances between the Northeast and the rest of India through significant infrastructure projects. He emphasized the region’s transition towards a new era of lasting peace, overcoming historical challenges related to ethnicity, language, borders, and extremism.
Expressing the government’s commitment to the Northeast, Shah outlined the implementation of the “Act East, Act Fast, and Act First” mantras under Modi’s leadership. He credited the North Eastern Council for playing a crucial role in accelerating the region’s development, with over 12,000 kilometers of roads, 700 MW power plants, and institutes of national excellence established in the last 50 years.
Amit Shah underscored the enhanced role and scope of NEC under the Act East Policy, praising its efforts in policy formulation and issue resolution. He noted significant achievements in law and order, insurgency reduction, and border management, giving a special mention to the use of technology through the North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC).
The Union Home Minister acknowledged the cultural richness of the Northeast and its potential in global tourism. He highlighted the government’s efforts in bringing peace and stability, signing nine agreements, and reducing the areas covered under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) by 75 percent.
Shah disclosed the allocation of Rs. 4800 crores for the Northeast for 2022-23 to 2025-26, representing a 162 percent budget increase. He outlined various schemes, including PM-DevINE, National Ropeway Development Programme, National Edible Oil Mission, and the Special Infrastructure Development Plan.
Emphasizing the importance of individual development along with regional progress, Amit Shah called for increased use of NESAC for disaster management, water administration, and modern governance. He concluded by setting ambitious goals for the Northeast, envisioning the region’s self-reliance in various sectors and its integral role in India’s journey to a 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2047.
