Union Home Minister Shah and DoNER Minister Scindia to Participate in Key NEC Meeting in Agartala Tomorrow

Agartala, Dec 20 (NationPress) The 72nd Plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) is scheduled for Saturday to evaluate the ongoing infrastructure projects and discuss the development roadmap for the eight northeastern states, including Sikkim.

Officials have indicated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will oversee the plenary session, while DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, his deputy Sukanta Majumdar, along with Governors, Chief Ministers, and Deputy Chief Ministers from all eight northeastern states will participate in this daylong meeting.

The Home Minister, who will also preside over several other events during his three-day visit to Tripura, arrived in Agartala on Friday evening.

On Sunday, Shah plans to visit the Reang tribal settlement camps in the Dhalai district and will also take part in the National Cooperative Conference at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala.

In preparation for Saturday’s plenary session, a pre-plenary technical meeting of the NEC was conducted on Friday, chaired by MoS Majumdar. This session saw participation from the Chief Secretaries of all eight northeastern states, senior officials from the DoNER Ministry and the NEC, as well as officials from various states in the region.

Tripura's capital, Agartala, is hosting the NEC plenary for only the second time since 2008.

An NEC official noted that selecting Agartala for this crucial meeting highlights its growing significance in regional development.

Traditionally, plenary sessions have been predominantly held in Shillong and Guwahati. However, Agartala's selection reflects the dynamic nature of the NEC’s initiatives and its dedication to promoting growth across the region.

NEC Secretary Angshuman Dey emphasized the importance of this plenary and the NEC’s role in regional development, reiterating the Prime Minister’s vision of the Northeast Region (NER) as 'Ashta Lakshmi', symbolizing its vast potential and cultural richness.

Since its inception, the NEC's role has evolved from being merely an advisory body to becoming a fundamental regional planning agency, as quoted in an official release by Dey.

“Nonetheless, its core mission remains unchanged: to accelerate socio-economic development and ensure parity with other regions of the country through enhanced connectivity, capacity building, and investments across various sectors,” the release stated.

The NEC was established in 1971 and inaugurated in Shillong in 1972 by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, marking a significant milestone in the region's coordinated development.

The official release highlighted that the council's transformation, including the incorporation of Sikkim in 2002 and its designation as a Regional Planning Body, illustrates its expanding mandate and increasing importance.

The NEC has achieved remarkable milestones over the decades, from constructing over 11,500 km of roads to enhancing power generation and improving airport infrastructure.

The council’s legacy includes establishing foundational institutions such as the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and the North Eastern Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO), among others.

The ongoing initiatives and the introduction of the PM-devINE scheme further demonstrate the NEC’s crucial role in actualizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the northeastern region.

At the upcoming 72nd plenary session, the focus will be on the NEC's continuous efforts to tap into the region's vast potential and drive it towards unmatched growth and development.

“With the stage set and expectations soaring, this plenary session of the NEC is poised to be a defining moment in the region's journey towards a prosperous future,” the release concluded.

In addition to the NEC meeting, a review of the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) works and planning will be conducted on December 22.

Officials revealed that the Union Home Minister and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) Chairman S. Somanath will be present at the NESAC meeting.

In the prior NEC meeting held in Shillong, the Union Home Minister stated that in the 50 years since its establishment, the NEC has significantly enhanced the region's development pace by offering a platform for policy discussions and simplifying problem-solving.