Rio demands equitable allocation of NEC Plan outlay

Kohima, Nov 16 (UNI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has demanded a more equitable allocation of North Eastern Council (NEC) plan outlay amongst the North Eastern states.

Speaking at the 53rd Meeting of NEC at New Delhi yesterday Rio said the distribution of NEC plan outlay was not based on any criteria.

He also said the state's share of NEC funds, since its inception, excluding funding of Doyang Hydro-Electrical Project (DHEP) under North Eastern Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO), is only five per cent.

He further added that there was not a single regional institution funded by the NEC, being located in the state.

The focus of the meeting was vision for the development of the North Eastern Region, particularly taking into account the 11th Five Year Plan, which is going to be the first Five Year Plan of NEC as a Statutory Planning Body.

Mr Rio had suggested that the main thrust area for the 11th Plan, as far as his state is concerned, should be Agriculture and allied sectors.

''The favourable land-man ratio and suitable climatic and geographical condition supports growth of all kinds of plants, which are some of the advantages that can be exploited to harvest rich dividends and produce exportable surplus to sustain the state's economy at a sufficiently high levels of development,'' he said.

On the Centre's 'Look East policy', Mr Rio said it had to be made a action oreinted programme, so that it does not remain a mere slogan.

He also suggested the Centre to restructure various other policies, including the foreign policy.

UNI AS PP RD 1126