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Union Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, outlined the transformative journey of Northeast India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 72nd North Eastern Council (NEC) Plenary and the Bankers’ Conclave in Agartala on Saturday.
Visionary Leadership and Strategic Policies
Scindia, who is also the Vice Chairman of the NEC, emphasized that Prime Minister Modi’s transformation of the “Look East Policy” into the “Act East Policy” has been a game-changer for the region. This policy, based on three pillars—peace, progress, and prosperity—aims to position the Northeast as a key hub of development and connectivity, not just for India but also as a bridge to Southeast Asia.
“The Prime Minister’s emotional and thoughtful approach has brought immense pride to the people of the Northeast. His vision of a peaceful, prosperous region aligns with the steps taken so far,” said Scindia.
Security and Stability as Foundations
Scindia credited Home Minister Amit Shah and security forces for fostering peace and stability, which have transformed the region from a conflict zone into a “peaceful Shangri-La.” He highlighted the elimination of underground groups and terrorist activities as a cornerstone of this transformation.
Unprecedented Infrastructure Investments
The Minister detailed the unprecedented investments made in the region:
- ₹5 lakh crore invested over the past decade.
- Development of 6,000 km of national highways, with 45,000 km under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana underway.
- Expansion of the rail network by 2,000 km and operationalization of airports in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
- Increase in airports from 9 to 17, including the first railway line in Manipur and operational waterways in 20 routes, revolutionizing connectivity.
He also noted the strategic importance of international air routes, such as Agartala-Chittagong and Imphal-Mandalay, in enhancing regional integration.
Economic Growth and Innovation
Scindia highlighted the region’s growing startup ecosystem, supported by the Northeast Venture Fund, which has backed around 5,000 startups. With an ambitious goal of nurturing 1 lakh startups, Scindia envisioned the Northeast producing India’s next unicorn.
The Minister emphasized the importance of leveraging local resources like orchids, cardamom, and silk under the “One State, One Product” initiative. He also announced plans for palm oil cultivation over 7,000 hectares and the export of Nagaland’s chilies to Singapore, showcasing the region’s economic potential.
Technological and Educational Advances
Scindia lauded the establishment of 5G test labs and the government’s focus on modern education to empower the youth. He highlighted plans for developing tourist circuits in each state and district to boost tourism.
Banking and Financial Sector Growth
Speaking at the Bankers’ Conclave, Scindia underscored the rapid expansion of the financial sector in the Northeast:
- Bank branches increased by 50%, from 3,330 to 5,182.
- Credit growth surged by 282% to ₹1.86 lakh crore, with deposits growing by 152% to ₹3.52 lakh crore.
- Mutual fund assets more than doubled to ₹40,000 crore.
Scindia urged banks to enhance their presence in the region, emphasizing the Northeast’s higher GDP growth rate of 10-12%, outpacing the national average.
Future Roadmap and Investments
Scindia announced plans for a North-East Investors Summit in Delhi to attract investments, emphasizing hydropower development, state-specific logistics strategies, and world-class infrastructure projects.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making the Northeast a model of progress, peace, and prosperity, highlighting the region’s abundant natural resources and skilled human capital. “This area has been blessed by Mother Earth with immense potential,” he said.
Invitation to Stakeholders
Scindia invited stakeholders to participate in the region’s growth story, emphasizing its pristine environment, strategic importance, and role as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia. “This is a golden opportunity to contribute to a region that is healthy for the mind, body, and soul,” he concluded.
The NEC Plenary and Bankers’ Conclave showcased the government’s commitment to inclusive development, setting the stage for the Northeast to emerge as a key driver of India’s economic and strategic growth.
