'All north-eastern states should unite for development'

TNN | Sep 1, 2012,

SHILLONG: Union minister of state for development of north eastern region (DoNER) Paban Singh Ghatowar said the North Eastern Region Vision-2020 document released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in July, 2008, continues to be a template for promoting development in the North-East.

"Assessment of requirement of infrastructural projects in north eastern states is a continuously evolving planning and policy formulation exercise and requires consultation and participation of state governments, Centre and other stakeholders," he said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

According to an official release, the minister informed that 17 thematic groups were constituted by the Doner minister to work out an action plan to operationalize the vision based on different disciplines and sectors outlined in the Vision-2020 document. These groups presented their findings for working out detailed action plan for development of North-Eastern region in the meeting held in Shillong on December 3 and 4, 2008.

"The views of thematic groups were put together for implementation by ministries concerned and those ministries are being pursued by Doner and North Eastern Council (NEC) to implement the action plan in relevant fields," Ghatowar said. He informed that ministries are invited to spell out their development plans and ongoing activities in North Eastern Region in NEC meetings.

Ghatowar said Vision 2020 sets a target of additional investment of around Rs 13,29,891 crore at 2006-07 prices in the North East from 2007-08 to 2019-20 to bring growth rates in the region at par with overall national growth rates.

"Estimated investment is placed at Rs 2, 11,613 crore during 11th Plan; Rs 505,499 crore during 12th Plan and Rs 612,779 crore during first three years of 13th Plan period. During 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12) actual plan outlay for NER through sources of funding works out to Rs 184,155 crore, which does not include private sector investment," an official release stated. The projected requirement for 12th Five Year Plan of (NEC) is Rs 21,507 crore, the release quoted the Union Doner minister.