North-East Vision Document Discussed

New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) An ambitious plan to boost economic growth and commerce in the country's eight North-Eastern states -- traditionally lagging behind -- today neared finalisation with a high-level meeting here discussing the final draft Vision NER:2020 document.

Thought up by Minister for Development of the North-Eastern Region (DoNER) P R Kyndiah, 'Vision NER:2020' envisages bringing about within 15 years an economic turnaround in the country's north-east -- traditionally out of syncwith the national mainstream.

The meeting, chaired by Kyndiah, discussed a Working Paper -- drafted on the basis of views and suggestions received from a wide cross-section of people from the region -- broadly indicating the contours of development planning for the NE.

It was decided to frame a detailed document -- based on the Working Paper -- indicating the goals and strategy and Action Plan -- both in short and long term perspective -- to be presented to a meeting of the North Eastern Council during June next, official sources said.

The North Eastern Council (NEC) is the apex body for development programmes in the country's eight North-Eastern states comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

The meeting was attended, among others, by NEC members Dr I K Barthakur, Mr PP Shrivastav, DoNER Secretary Gouri Chatterjee and NEC Secretary HV Lalringa besides officials of the Planning Commission.

UNI DG PV PC1700