Development policies for NE need to reviewed

Imphal, May 13 (UNI) All developmental projects for north eastern states implemented by the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the Department of North East Region (DONER) had little impact in human resource development and agricultural activities, opined Associate Professor of Economics of Manipur University Mr Priyoranjan.

Speaking at a workshop on the NEC and its plans and projects, Mr Priyoranjan said the major portion of the NEC or the DONER budget - 88 per cent - was allotted to infrastructure and communications, while only about one per cent to industrial development.

He said the statistics showed that the agricultural sector was the most neglected area in the development projects.

He advocated that the entire approach of the developmental activities had to be changed as more funds needed for industrial and agricultural activities.

The professor lamented that every decision was taken only on the basis of political consideration and the people's needs were ignored.

"The total land area of the NE is only eight per cent while the population about four per cent and the GDP is two per cent of the country. We are witnessing a decline in industrial growth and only the handloom and handicrafts industry is supported by the NEC or the DONER,'' he pointed out.

The growth rate of the region had declined after the Centre adopted the liberalization policy, according to the Professor. He stressed that the focus of development should be more on agriculture and industrialisation.

Professor N Mohendro said the social structure was also important for Northeast as there were about 400 different ethnic groups in the region.

Dr H Indrakumar of the State Planning department informed that the NEC was formed in 1971 as an advisory body for socio-economic development and to ensure balanced development of the region.

The NEC had been taking up development works for the region and during November, 2006, four projects amounting to Rs 89 lakh were sanctioned for Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 173 lakh for ten projects in Asom, Rs 1801 lakh for Manipur's two projects, including the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.

Nine schemes were sanctioned for Meghalaya for Rs 27 lakh, four for Mizoram for Rs 169 lakh, two projects for Nagaland with Rs 45 lakhs, two for Sikkim for Rs 45 lakh and six projects for Tripura for Rs 29 lakhs, Dr Indrakumar added.

UNI