Development plans for NE tops NEC meet agenda
Source: The Sangai Express

Shillong, May 26 2016: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the North Eastern Council (NEC) meeting to be held here on Friday with focus on overall development of the region.

The NEC is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the region and comprises eight States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

The Prime Minister will release a special cover and a stamp to mark the 65th NEC Plenary session.

The Department of Posts has brought out the stamp on the occasion of the 65th NEC Plenary session.

Moreover, a short documentary film on two years' progress of the Ministry of DoNER will be screened on the occasion.

Several Governors and Chief Ministers attending this session include V Shamuganathan, Mukul Sangma, Tathagatha Roy, JP Rajkhowa, Shriniwas Dada Saheb Patil, PB Acharya, Lt General (Retd) Nirbhoy Sharma, Kalikho Pul, Pawan Chamling, Sarbananda Sonowal, TR Zeliang, O Ibobi Singh.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar will not attend the meeting as he will be busy with CPM's State committee meeting beginning on the same day.

DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh will deliver the keynote address.

Agenda: The two-day 65th NEC Plenary, which is starting from Thursday, will focus on all round developmental plans for the North Eastern region.

In various technical sessions, discussion will be made on the developmental projects related to livelihood, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, connectivity and other related areas in the North East.

The first technical session at 9.30 am will discuss on livelihood, in which areas like agriculture, rural development, food processing and textiles will be focused.

In the second technical session, there will be discussion on entrepreneurship, where areas like skills, tribal affairs, Ayush, MSME, commerce- and others will be discussed.

In both the sessions presentations will be made by concerned Ministries of the Centre.

Jitendra Singh, Minister of DoNER and Chairman, NEC will light the ceremonial lamp at 4 pm.

Various agenda items and action taken reports will be discussed in the session.

Some of the major issues to be discussed in the session under the chairmanship of the Union Minister are, North East � Organic Capital of the Country, North Eastern Road Sector Development Scheme (upgradation and maintenance of orphan roads, inter-State roads etc), assistance for procurement of agri and horticulture produce including medicinal plants to give remunerative price to farmers to be implemented by Central/State Agencies, extension of runways at Umroi Airport, Shillong, NE Tourism Development Council, Partial assistance to States / NGOs for setting up of an iconic skill centre infrastructure for NER youth in collaboration with NABARD and Act East Secretariat in NEC in collaboration with IIM, Shillong.

The session will be followed by presentation by Ministry of Home Affairs, Inland Waterways Authority of India, Health and Family Welfare, External Affairs and Drinking Water and Sanitation.

In the evening at 7.15 North East Zone Cultural Centre and Shillong Chamber Choir will present dances and songs respectively at Cultural Centre of Pinewood Hotel.

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