Task Force constituted to look into hill states and regions

Shillong, Sep 22 (UNI) In a bid to remove geo-physical constraints and resultant economic backwardness, the Centre has constituted a task force to look into the problems specific to hill states and areas.

The nine-member panel under the chairmanship of G B Mukherji, secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, will analyze the key problems and help prepare a comprehensive document for the development of these states and regions, which could be implemented within the 11th Five-Year plan.

In fact, most of the small and hilly states, including those in the North East, often complained of their inability to implement a number of centrally sponsored schemes due to lack of components to deal with mountain specific issues.

''One of the major tasks of the panel will be to identify norms in the centrally sponsored schemes that require change to ensure flow of funds in to the hill states,'' official sources said.

The task force is also expected to suggest measures to ensure that economic and human resource development do not suffer due to peculiar geographic conditions of these hills states/areas.

Besides, the experts are expected to: (i) analyze the problems of connectivity (telephone/internet/transport) and social infrastructure development; (ii) identify issues related to environmental sustainability and use of land water resources and their impact on development process in these states.

The panel is expected to submit its report in six months.

UNI RRK PL/src1327