25-Mar-2021: Developmental activities in Garo hills

The Government is committed to overall development of the North Eastern Region (NER) including Garo hills region in the State of Meghalaya. Out of total 11 districts in Meghalaya, 5 districts fall under Garo hills region.  In Garo hills regions, 13 projects are under implementation for construction/widening/reconstruction of roads/bridges for 133.8 km length.

Two flagship schemes of Government namely Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana-Saubhagya are being implemented across the country for various rural electrification works and electrification of the remaining un-electrified households in rural and urban areas, including NER and State of Meghalaya. All the inhabited census villages and households of Garo hills have been electrified. Under North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP) scheme, 14 power projects are under implementation in Garo hills.

Further, 46 different projects relating to Roads, Power, Irrigation, Industry, Medical & Health, Sports, Science & Technology, etc. are in progress in five districts of Garo Hills.  Garo hills is the only region in Meghalaya which comes under the railway map by way of Mendipathar - Dudhnoi railway line.  Under Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan, 389 towers covering 534 uncovered villages have been approved in three districts of Garo Hills for provision of 4G mobile services.  Under Prime Minister Kaushal Vikas Yojana, so far 20,151 persons have been given training for employment. 

Various developmental measures taken up by State Government under Central Sector Scheme/Centrally Sponsored Schemes/State Schemes include construction of first state run Medical College at Tura in West Garo Hills District, sanction of a Tribal Research Institute at Babadam, West Garo Hills, approval for setting up of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in six Community & Rural Development Blocks of the Garo Hills Region and construction of 36 Anganwadi Centre Buildings (AWCs).  Jal Jeevan Mission- Har Ghar Jal (JJM) is being implemented which aims at providing water through tap water connection to every rural household by 2024.  Under JJM, 31% of the households in Garo Hills region have been provided with functional household tap connection till January, 2021.

Human Development Index (HDI) was prepared by Government of Meghalaya in 2008 with the assistance of United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and the then Planning Commission. The district-wise ranking of the then 7 districts, was as below:-

Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is getting a district-wise Sustainable Development Goal Index prepared for all the districts of NER through NITI Aayog in technical collaboration with UNDP.

11-Feb-2021: Infrastructure Projects in North Eastern Region

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that all the North-Eastern States are connected by one or more mode of transport i.e. Air, Rail, Road and Inland Waterways.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that infrastructure projects taken up in the North Eastern Region inter alia include projects of road and rail connectivity; modernization and development of new airports.

Important infrastructure projects completed during the last two years includes Pakyong Airport (Sikkim), Rupsi Airport (Assam); Lumding- Hojai Rail line doubling project (45 Km) in Assam; 300 MW Kameng and 110 MW Pare Hydro Power projects  in Arunachal Pradesh; ICP at Moreh and 1819 km of road length covering all  North Eastern States. Under North Eastern States Roads Investment Programme (Externally Aided Project), construction/upgradation of three roads (Kalitakuchi to Barpeta-58.5 km, Tamulpur to Paneri-43 km and Paneri to Udalgiri-18.4 km) along with five major bridges in Assam and one road (Garobada to Dalu-93.4 km) in Meghalaya have been completed.

The projects completed in Tripura include Agartala - Sabroom new Rail line project (112 km); 2-laning with paved shoulder of Udaipur- Sabroom Section of NH-44 from km 55.00 to km 128.712; and strengthening and widening works of NH-8 (old NH-44) from km. 284 to km 318; Waterway on river Gomati (Tripura).

4-Feb-2021: Review of projects in North-Eastern Region

NITI Aayog has constituted17 Sub-Groups on 17 thematic areas consisting members from Civil Society Organizations, Central Ministries/Departments and sector related United Nations Agencies as members of the Sub-Groups.  The mandate of these Sub-Groups is to work on 17 sectors and come up with tangible action plans. As per instructions of Ministry of Finance, continuation of schemes of the Ministries/Departments beyond 14th Finance Commission period requires an independent evaluation. Evaluation of schemes implemented by North Eastern Council have since been completed. The work of evaluation of schemes implemented by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has been awarded.

(To deal with the situation arising from pandemic due to COVID-19, the Government announced AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan with the aim of making the country self-reliant and to focus on local manufacturing, local market and local supply chains. Accordingly, Ministries/Departments were tasked to frame the schemes/programmes as per the announcements. Some of the important initiatives include AatmaNirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana; extension of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Schemes for MSMEs, Businesses, Mudra borrowers; additional outlay for Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Urban and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY); Income Tax relief for Developers and Home Buyers; equity investment in debt platform of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) etc.

The COVID-19 situation was regularly reviewed and coordinated action was taken by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. To mitigate the difficulties of people in the North Eastern States, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region/ North Eastern Council sanctioned untied funds amounting to Rs. 25.00 crore to combat COVID-19 pandemic in 8 NER States. Projects worth Rs. 25.00 crore have also been sanctioned to NER States for livelihood generation for returnee migrant workers due to COVID-19. In health sector, five projects worth Rs.193.32 crore have been sanctioned under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland for strengthening health infrastructure for fighting COVID-19.TheMinistry of Development of North Eastern Region has also coordinated with Central Ministries/Departments to resolve issues related to medical supplies, creation of testing infrastructure etc.

31-Dec-2020: Year End Review 2020: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)

Major Achievements of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) during the calendar year 2020 are as follows:

Earmarking of 30% of “Schemes of NEC” allocation for development of deprived areas; deprived neglected sections of Society:  The Government in January, 2020 approved the allocation of 30 percent of North Eastern Council's (NEC's) allocation for new projects under the existing "Schemes of North Eastern Council" for focused development of deprived areas; deprived/neglected sections of society and emerging priority sectors in the North eastern States. Indicative List of areas/ sectors are as under:

1. Programmes for afforestation of denuded hills in NER. The plantation will involve tall growing trees other than bamboo.
2. Programmes/projects for development of organic farming in NER.
3. Commissioning of studies to look into problems of ethnic groups in NER like Bru, Chakma, etc. and possible solutions to the identified problems.
4. Documentation of disputes between different States of North East for further action by MHA.
5. Study of various languages/scripts of NE States and measures to revive the lost languages/scripts.
6. Such other projects of importance for focussed development of deprived areas, vulnerable and neglected groups/sections of society and other emerging priority sectors.

Digitization of MDoNER: With 100% implementation of E-Office in MDoNER by way of providing support infrastructure and enabling access to E-office through VPN to officials, there was no disruption in working of Ministry in post COVID period. This ensured full utilization of the funds allotted to Ministry in FY 2019-2020. This also ensured safety and protection of employees without loss of productivity.

Development of Bamboo Sector in North Eastern Region: Around 35%   area under bamboo is in North Eastern States. However, this potential of Bamboo for NER was not being fully utilized due to restrictions in movement of Bamboo under Indian Forest Act, 1927.

Government removed Bamboo from the classification of trees in Indian Forest Act 1927 through Indian Forest (Amendment) Act, 2017 and re-classified it as grass by Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.  The decision is a game changer for development of Bamboo in the North Eastern Region as it would facilitate large scale cultivation and processing of bamboo. 

Another major reform relates to increase in import duty on bamboo sticks from 10% to 25%. This decision has paved the way for setting up of new Agarbatti stick manufacturing units to meet the ever-growing demand of Agarbatti in India. There has been no import of raw batti since September 2019 and local bamboo produce is being used.

Moreover, in coming months, three Bamboo Clusters will be developed in Jammu, Katra and Samba areas for making of Bamboo basketry, Agarbatti and Bamboo Charcoal which will provide direct employment opportunities to about 25,000 people. Apart from this a Mega Bamboo Industrial Park at Ghati near Jammu and Bamboo Technology Training Centre will also come up in the region within two years of the allotment of land by the UT of J&K administration.

Destination North East: Destination North East is a calendar event of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region conceptualized with the objective of taking the North East Region to other parts of the country and bringing them closer together for better understanding and strengthening national integration. Previous editions of the Festival were held in Delhi, Chandigarh and Varanasi. Focus of Destination North East 2020, held virtually in September, 2020 was on the theme “The Emerging Delightful Destinations”.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched Booklet and its e-version on one year achievements of Ministry of DoNER under Modi Government 2,  East in June, 2020.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh launched a Booklet and its e-version on one year achievements of the Ministry of Department of Development of North Eastern Region, MDoNER here in June,2020.

Dr. Jitendra Singh congratulated the team MDoNER for achieving 100% expenditure during 2019-20 and said that there has been a significant development in terms of Road, Rail and Air connectivity, helping facilitate the movement of goods and persons not only across the region but also across the country.

The Minister stated that last one year has seen significant development in Infrastructure, Energy and other Sectors in the North Eastern Region. Under Govt. Policy of earmarking at least 10% of GBS for development of NER, Rs. 53,374 Cr were provided to NE States at RE stage by 55 non-exempt departments. Railways allocated of Rs.4745 Cr in addition to GBS. The allocation under 10% GBS has been rising sharply reflecting the focus of Hon’ble PM on North East.

Some of the major projects which have been approved, started or completed in the last one year in the NER and significant achievements of the Ministry of DoNER are mentioned below:

1. Approved at a cost of Rs. 9265 Cr. Indradhanush Gas Grid Project would be a 1656 km long North East Gas Pipeline Grid covering all eight States. This would provide clean energy to NER and boost industrial growth without pollution. This would greatly help in preserving NE environment in its pristine form.
2. The work on Greenfield Hollongi Airport for capital connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh, has started. The project with an estimated cost of Rs.955.67 Cr.is likely to be completed by December, 2022.
3. Railways has completed Belonia-Sabroom (39.12 Km) Railway-line for providing easy access to Southern Tripura and Chattogram Port in Bangladesh. Doubling of Hawaipur-Lumding,25.05 Km long Section of New Jalpaiguri-Lumding Project has also been completed.

Sanction of major new works include (i)Doubling of New Bongaigaon to Aghri section via Rangia (142 km) at a cost of Rs.2042.51 Cr.; (ii) Bridges on Brahmaputra at Saraighat and Tezpur Silghat at estimated cost of Rs.888 Cr & Rs.3512 Cr respectively; (iii) electrification of entire 2352 km long BG railway network of NER at an estimated cost of Rs.2293 Cr.

1. In the roads sector,35 National Highways Projects having a length of 536 Km, with an estimated cost of Rs.7707.17 Cr have been awarded. 3 projects (66 km length) have been completed in Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Bulk cargo and container movement from Kolkata and Haldia Ports to Guwahati Terminal via Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) Route and NW2 (Brahmaputra) has started. Operationalisation of this waterway would lead to and great savings in logistics cost. IBP route is being further developed in Bangladesh portion at estimated cost of Rs.305.84 Cr.
3. Krishi Udaan Scheme launched in Union Budget 2020-21 has been operationalised and Transport of agricultural produce such as pineapple, ginger, kiwi, organic produce has commenced from Bagdogra, Guwahati and Agartala Airports.
4. All impediments (legal, political and environmental) to Subansiri Hydro Power project in Arunachal Pradesh have been removed and the work on 2000 MW project (stalled since 2011) has started and is expected to be completed by 2023.

Fighting COVID-19 Apart from release of Rs.7923.78 Cr by Ministry of Finance and Rs.235.59 Cr by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Rs. 25 crores of untied funds have been provided by MDoNER/NEC. MDoNER has also sanctioned projects worth Rs.152.18 Cr under NESIDS for Strengthening Health Infrastructure in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Two quarantine facilities viz. CBTC Hostel Block, Burnihat, Guwahati, Assam and NEC House, New Delhi have been identified. It was also decided that in the wake of COVID pandemic, the Ministry of North East (DoNER) would sanction Rs.190 crores for augmentation of healthcare facility in the eight North Eastern States, particularly for developing infrastructure for management of infectious diseases.

NERLP and NERCORMP livelihood schemes of MDoNER, cover 6 States, 15 districts of NER has created livelihood for 4,12,644 households of the region. Under these schemes 36561 SHGs, 1506 SHG federations, 1599 Community Development Groups, 2899 Natural Resource Management Groups (NaRMG) and 286 NaMRG Associations have been created.

For promotion of MSME & Micro Finance Sectors in the North Eastern Region, NEDFi has disbursed an amount of Rs.47.02 crore against a target of Rs 30 Cr as provided in MOU with Ministry during June 2019 to May 2020. It has also provided mentoring services through BFCs to total 539 entrepreneurs and facilitated credit link for 77 entrepreneurs.

Union Budget 2020-21 accorded highest priority for the overall development of North Eastern Region.

Budgetary allocation saw a hike of over 14% from Rs. 2670 Crore last year to Rs. 3049 Crore in 2020-21.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that in case of Ministry of DoNER, the budgetary allocation for 2020-21 is Rs. 3049 Cr as against Rs. 2670 Cr in the RE 2019-20 (increase of 14.2%). Out of this, the provision for development of infrastructure is around Rs.2900 Cr. Compared to AE 2014-15 of Rs. 1719 Cr, the budget allocation of Ministry of DoNER in 2020-21 is higher by 77.26%. In case of schemes being implemented by North Eastern Council (NEC), the current year’s budgetary allocation is Rs.1474 Cr, an increase of 19.23 % over RE 2019-20 allocation of Rs.1237 Cr. Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that the Budget for North East Council just doubled from Rs 700 crore to Rs 1474 crore in the last five years.

Dedicated Desk of Invest India for NER

In March, 2020, it was proposed to set up a special dedicated desk of Invest India for North Eastern Region. The desk will take up investment targeting, promotion, facilitation and website development for North Eastern States.

The facilities that are proposed be extended to the NER are: –

1. Information provision
2. Targeting support
3. Facilitation support
4. State training and capacity building
5. Creation and structuring of state investment teams
6. Advisory for states for their investment summits/roundtables
7. Investors targeting support
8. Website

6-Jun-2020: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches Booklet and its e-version on one year achievements of Ministry of DoNER under Modi Government 2.0

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched a Booklet and its e-version on one year achievements of the Ministry of Department of Development of North Eastern Region, MDoNER here. Secretary Ministry of DoNER and other senior officers of the Department were present on the occasion. Secretary NEC and other senior officers attended the launch through a Video Conference from Shillong.

In his address Dr. Jitendra Singh said that North Eastern Region has emerged as a role model in more than one way. After emerging as a successful model for development in the last six years, the region has also become a role model in Corona management and again by reverting back to normal working conditions, it has presented a model for the entire country to emulate the same. Dr Singh said that this has become possible due to priority and patronage, the North Eastern Region received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government in the last six years.        

Dr. Jitendra Singh congratulated the team MDoNER for achieving 100% expenditure during 2019-20 and said that there has been a significant development in terms of Road, Rail and Air connectivity, helping facilitate the movement of goods and persons not only across the region but also across the country. So far, the region has received more than 400 tonnes of Air Cargo supply, apart from parcel facilities. He said that Bamboo will get a special impetus in post COVID era and the region will witness young entrepreneurs making a mark in different fields.

The Minister stated that last one year has seen significant development in Infrastructure, Energy and other Sectors in the North Eastern Region. Under Govt. Policy of earmarking at least 10% of GBS for development of NER, Rs. 53,374 Cr were provided to NE States at RE stage by 55 non-exempt departments. Railways allocated of Rs.4745 Cr in addition to GBS. The allocation under 10% GBS has been rising sharply reflecting the focus of Hon’ble PM on North East.

Some of the major projects which have been approved, started or completed in the last one year in the NER and significant achievements of the Ministry of DoNER are mentioned below:

1. Approved at a cost of Rs. 9265 Cr. Indradhanush Gas Grid Project would be a 1656 km long North East Gas Pipeline Grid covering all eight States. This would provide clean energy to NER and boost industrial growth without pollution. This would greatly help in preserving NE environment in its pristine form.
2. The work on Greenfield Hollongi Airport for capital connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh, has started. The project with an estimated cost of Rs.955.67 Cr.is likely to be completed by December, 2022.
3. Railways has completed Belonia-Sabroom (39.12 Km) Railway-line for providing easy access to Southern Tripura and Chattogram Port in Bangladesh. Doubling of Hawaipur-Lumding,25.05 Km long Section of New Jalpaiguri-Lumding Project has also been completed.
4. Sanction of major new works include (i)Doubling of New Bongaigaon to Aghri section via Rangia (142 km) at a cost of Rs.2042.51 Cr.; (ii) Bridges on Brahmaputra at Saraighat and Tezpur Silghat at estimated cost of Rs.888 Cr & Rs.3512 Cr respectively; (iii) electrification of entire 2352 km long BG railway network of NER at an estimated cost of Rs.2293 Cr.
5. In the roads sector, 35 National Highways Projects having a length of 536 Km, with an estimated cost of Rs.7707.17 Cr have been awarded.  3 projects (66 km length) have been completed in Arunachal Pradesh.
6. Bulk cargo and container movement from Kolkata and Haldia Ports to Guwahati Terminal via Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) Route and NW2 (Brahmaputra) has started. Operationalisation of this waterway would lead to and great savings in logistics cost. IBP route is being further developed in Bangladesh portion at estimated cost of Rs.305.84 Cr.
7. Krishi Udaan Scheme launched in Union Budget 2020-21 has been operationalised and Transport of agricultural produce such as pineapple, ginger, kiwi, organic produce has commenced from Bagdogra, Guwahati and Agartala Airports.
8. All impediments (legal, political and environmental) to Subansiri Hydro Power project in Arunachal Pradesh have been removed and the work on 2000 MW project(stalled since 2011) has started and is expected to be completed by 2023.

Hon’ble Minister stated that the expenditure of Ministry during the last one year at Rs 2803 Cr has been highest over any one-year period. The expenditure of the Ministry in FY 2019-20 has been Rs 2670 Cr, 100% of the RE allocation has also been the highest for any financial year. The other significant achievements are:

1. 215 Nos ongoing projects worth Rs.2800 Cr have been completed and 152 Nos of new projects worth Rs.2286 Cr have been sanctioned under various Schemes of MDoNER/NEC.
2. Fighting COVID-19 Apart from release of Rs.7923.78 Cr by Ministry of Finance and Rs.235.59 Cr by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Rs. 25 crores of untied funds have been provided by MDoNER/NEC. MDoNER has also sanctioned projects worth Rs.152.18 Cr under NESIDS for Strengthening Health Infrastructure in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Two quarantine facilities viz. CBTC Hostel Block, Burnihat, Guwahati, Assam and NEC House, New Delhi have been identified.
3. NERLP and NERCORMP livelihood schemes of MDoNER, cover   6 States, 15 districts of NER has created livelihood for 4,12,644 households of the region. Under these schemes 36561 SHGs, 1506 SHG federations, 1599 Community Development Groups, 2899 Natural Resource Management Groups (NaRMG) and 286 NaMRG Associations have been created.
4. For promotion of MSME & Micro Finance Sectors in the North Eastern Region, NEDFi has disbursed an amount of Rs.47.02 crore against a target of Rs 30 Cr as provided in MOU with Ministry during June 2019 to May 2020. It has also provided mentoring services through BFCs to total 539 entrepreneurs and facilitated credit link for 77 entrepreneurs.
5. The major events conducted by the Ministry and its organisations like NEC, NEHHDC, CBTC etc. included NEC Plenary in Guwahati chaired by Union Home Minister; Destination North- East at Varanasi -to promote tourism and Handlooms and Handicrafts of NER in UP and nearby areas of Bihar; North-East Handloom and Handicrafts exhibition at Aizwal; and Workshop cum Exhibition on Cane and Bamboo in J&K.

Union Minister congratulated the team MDoNER for achieving 100% expenditure during 2019-20.  He also appreciated the efforts of the Ministry for helping North Eastern States in developing Infrastructure for fighting COVID-19 and playing a coordinating role between NE States and various Central Ministries/Department, in various issues which required interventions by Central Ministries/Departments. He asked the Officers to maintain the tempo and keep up the good work.

5-Jun-2020: North East to Emerge as New Business Destination of India: Dr Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (I/C) for Development of North Eastern Region and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office, Dr. Jitendra Singh said here today that North Eastern Region of the country is slowly but firmly coming up as new business destination of India.  New paradigms will emerge post-COVID, with a potential for new breakthroughs in economy, trade, scientific research and several other diverse areas, catapulting North East as the economic hub of the country and a preferred destination for Startups.

Inaugurating e-Symposia 2020 organised by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research& Analysis and IIM Shillong as Chief Guest today through Video conference, Dr. Singh said, in the last six years, under the Modi government, the North Eastern Region had made up for several lapses of the past because for the first time the region received equal attention at par with the other regions of the country. This has not only instilled confidence among the people but also raised the capacity to engage with other parts of India as well as the countries outside, at different levels.

Lamenting the lack of interest of the successive governments towards the comprehensive development of region in the past, Dr Singh highlighted the initiatives taken by this government for the comprehensive and holistic development of this region. Be it overcoming the connectivity issues or encouraging entrepreneurship in the region, this government is fully committed to provide all possible assistance and support.

As can be seen, in the last six years, there has been a significant development in terms of Road, Rail and Air connectivity, helping facilitate the movement of goods and persons not only across the region but also across the country. States Like Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya  which had not seen Railways hitherto are now connected with Railways. Similarly States like Sikkim has seen an Airport for the first time. Other States are also witnessing the opening of new ports or augmenting the facilities and capacities of the existing ones. He further said that the Indo-Bangladesh treaty for exchange of enclaves, which was accomplished under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared the decks for ease of business, ease of movement and ease of commuting, which was earlier a tedious task. Very soon we are also going to have a train to Bangladesh from Tripura heralding a new chapter and opening new vistas in the development of this region by providing the entire region access to the seaports. Needless to say, this will boost the trade across the borders especially with our eastern neighbours by leaps and bounds. The Government has also come up with a new scheme called “North East Road Sector Development Schemes” (NERSDS) for development and proper maintenance of inter states roads within the region, which has colloquially acquired the name of ‘Orphaned Road’ because of its persistence neglect by both the connecting states. The list of initiatives, to say the least, is unending. Suffice to say, it only underlines in bold the resolve and commitment of this government to accord highest priority to the all-round progress of this region.

On the other hand, the government and the Ministry of DoNER is also committed towards promoting self-help groups by encouraging livelihood projects to provide sustainable income to the most needy group of people, especially to the women folk who by tradition are quite industrious in this part of the country. Desired impetus has also been accorded to the projects in areas like Horticulture, Tea, Bamboo, Piggery, Sericulture, Tourism etc.  In the emerging scenario, Dr. Singh said, Bamboo from the North East is going to be an important vehicle of trade not only for India but also for the entire subcontinent.

Sensing this opportunity, the Government has amended the century old Forest Act by taking home grown bamboo out of the purview of the Forest Act. In the present scenario, Tourism in the region is going to get a major boost because of its picturesque location and landscape, attracting tourist hitherto going to European destination. The Government has also encouraged local entrepreneurship by providing venture funds to the prospective entrepreneurs and facilitating investment; domestic as well as foreign by friendly countries, in the region. 

While the government can play an enabling role, Dr Jitendra Singh urged the institute like IIM Shillong to frame policies and guide the governments, Central as wells as States, for the holistic development of the region. Prior to Dr. Singh, Secretary DoNER Dr. Inderjit Singh, Secretary NEC Mr. Moses  K Chalai, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Shillong Shri Shishir Bajoria, Member Board of Governors, IIM Shillong Shri Atul Kulkarni, Director IIM Shillong Prof. D P Goyal and Prof Keya Sengupta also spoke on the occasion underlining the scope and need for strategic and development imperatives in the Region.