'Lack of proper planning hamper NE devp'

Agartala, May 26: Human resource management experts have identified the cause of underdevelopment of Northeastern states as improper and faulty appointment procedure in the public sector. The experts also expressed concern over the practice of employment in various government departments based on the political affiliation of the individuals.

uman resource development and human ecology expert of Indian Institute of Development Research (IIDR) Prof Mahesh Lala said besides lack of proper planning framework and ad hoc policies for development in the region, government sectors and rehabilitation centres for a particular section of the society had been incurring losses.

Citing example of huge infrastructure initiatives of the Centre and factors of economic development in the NE, Prof.Lala said most of the states in the region, including Tripura, had been utilising the funds without any master plan, which was creating havoc in public life.

He lashed out at the state governments of the region and Central government agencies for improper planning in development sectors while urging the authorities to pay attention to the appointment process because most of the inefficient and lazy people had been absorbed by the government and as a result, the quality of work and innovative approaches were lacking despite abundant funds.

However, Prof Lala praised the recent initiative of the Centre to shape a new development paradigm for the region, which aimed at integrating the region economically with the South East Asian countries and politically with the Indian mainland.

At the same time, he urged the state governments to change the mindset while going for new appointments in the public sector for true development.

''The North Eastern Council (NEC), though supposed to be an innovative institution to promote a unified economic system, unfortunately lacks in both vision, perspective for policy option and executives. Therefore, it has been unable to fulfill the objectives as well as contribute to the permanent solution of infrastructure,'' Prof Lala opined.

Similarly, the money market functioned in a way that savings in the region moved out to the places with conducive investment environment. Moreover, indifferent governance loomed large all over the region in the form of casual and non-challant approach to policy design and implementation or lack of accountability, he added.

UNI