NEPATFD asks MEA for white paper on 'Look East' policy

Shillong, Jun 16 (UNI) The North East Peoples Alliance on Trade, Finance and Development (NEPATFD) has demanded an immediate preparation of a white paper on India's 'Look East' policy from the Ministry of External Affairs.

''We are demanding a white paper as there has been complete lack of transparency and accountability on policy, programme and project processes regarding 'Look East' policy,'' social activists told newspersons here today.

The NEPATFD, a conglomeration of Human Rights group and NGOs, said the white paper should include 'When and How' was the 'Look East' policy was conceived, objectives and goals of the policy, role of the states in the policy decision and project implementations, parties involved, programmes and projects in North East, International Financial Institutions engaged in the 'Look East' policy process in North East, implications assessment on the livelihood, environmental, identity and socio-culture of North East and transparency and accountability procedures that will ensure that the peoples of the region are involved.

UNI