Modi outlines vision for development of Northeast states

The Centre is determined to ensure overall development of the Northeast states, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 65th Plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong on Friday.

“India will grow when all its regions grow together. I see no reason why the Northeast can't be developed,” Modi said during the meeting, attended by governors and chief ministers of the northeastern states. 

Regional planning body NEC is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the region and comprises eight states - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

Modi said his government would strive to make the Northeast region the next big start-up hub, and the Centre has decided to launch a special venture capital fund for these projects.  

The Prime Minister also felt there is a need to reorient and upgrade NEC. He suggested developing NEC as a state-of-the-art resource centre for the Northeastern states with necessary resources, knowledge and skills. The resource centre may enable the states and implementing agencies to properly plan and execute projects, promote research and innovations and provide strategic policy vision for the region.