Amit Shah to chair 73rd NEC plenary in Shillong, all 8 NE states to attend
Synopsis
Amit Shah lands in Shillong to chair the 73rd NEC plenary — the first since the Agartala session in December 2024. With all eight Northeastern Governors and CMs at one table, plus Jyotiraditya Scindia as vice-chair, the meeting is shaping up as the Centre's biggest single push on Northeast infrastructure and connectivity this year.
Key Takeaways
Amit Shah will chair the 73rd NEC plenary in Shillong on 5 June 2025 .
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia , NEC Vice-Chairman, will also attend.
Governors and Chief Ministers of all eight Northeastern states are expected to participate.
Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh reviewed the state's proposals in Aizawl ahead of the session.
Discussions will cover NEC-funded projects , NESIDS (Roads & OTRI) , and PM-DevINE initiatives.
The last plenary (72nd) was held in Agartala, Tripura in December 2024 .
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will preside over the 73rd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, on Thursday, 5 June 2025. The high-level meeting is expected to bring together Governors and Chief Ministers of all eight Northeastern states to chart the next phase of regional development planning.
Who will attend
Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, who serves as Vice-Chairman of the NEC, will also be present at the session. According to a senior NEC official, the Governors and Chief Ministers of all eight Northeastern states are expected to participate in the 55-year-old regional body's deliberations.
What the NEC said
In a post on its official X handle, the NEC said the gathering will bring together leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on key initiatives for the growth, connectivity, and sustainable development of the Northeastern region. The Council plays a central role in planning and coordinating development programmes across the eight states.
Mizoram's pre-plenary review
Ahead of the Shillong session, Mizoram Governor General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) on Monday reviewed the state's preparations at the Lok Bhavan Conference Room in Aizawl. The Governor underscored the Centre's commitment to the development of the Northeast and urged all line departments to ensure Mizoram's developmental priorities are presented effectively before the NEC.
Secretary of the Planning and Programme Implementation Department, David Lalthantluanga, presented follow-up actions on decisions from the 72nd NEC Plenary held in Agartala, Tripura, in December 2024. He also briefed officials on ongoing NEC-funded projects, NESIDS (Roads), NESIDS (OTRI), and PM-DevINE projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure and accelerating socio-economic development.
Why it matters
The NEC plenary is the principal forum where the Centre and the eight Northeastern states align on funding, connectivity, and cross-border project coordination. With Shah personally chairing the session, the meeting is likely to carry political weight beyond routine planning — particularly on infrastructure pushes tied to the Act East policy.
What's next
Outcomes from the Shillong plenary, including project approvals and inter-state coordination mechanisms, are expected to set the development agenda for the region through the coming financial year. Principal Secretary Sudhir Kumar and senior officials of key departments were also part of Mizoram's review meeting.
Point of View
Or whether Shillong becomes another headline cycle of fresh announcements layered over unfinished ones. The Northeast's development arithmetic has long been bottlenecked less by allocations than by absorption capacity at the state level. Watch the PM-DevINE and NESIDS disbursement numbers, not the speeches.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 73rd NEC plenary session being held?
The 73rd plenary session of the North Eastern Council is being held in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, on Thursday, 5 June 2025. It will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Who will attend the NEC plenary in Shillong?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will preside, with DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia attending as NEC Vice-Chairman. Governors and Chief Ministers of all eight Northeastern states are expected to participate.
What is the North Eastern Council (NEC)?
The NEC is a 55-year-old statutory regional body that plans and coordinates development initiatives across India's eight Northeastern states. It functions under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
What projects are likely to be discussed?
Discussions are expected to cover NEC-funded projects, NESIDS (Roads), NESIDS (OTRI), and PM-DevINE schemes focused on infrastructure and socio-economic development. Follow-up on decisions from the 72nd NEC Plenary held in Agartala in December 2024 will also be reviewed.
Where was the previous NEC plenary held?
The 72nd NEC Plenary was held in Agartala, Tripura, in December 2024. Mizoram and other states have been preparing follow-up status reports for the Shillong session.
