Skip to content Skip to navigation

NEC meet discusses development in the region

By AT News |

Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said that North Eastern Council (NEC) should play a proactive role in undertaking more research work in generating more employment avenues to help the youth of the region to be absorbed in meaningful vocations.

Sharing his observations as the Governor of the state, Prof. Mukhi caught the attention of the august gathering and presented a canvas of avenues where NEC can undertake research activities and pump in investment for generating large scale employment avenues in the region. He said that bamboo is found abundantly in the state and with the new technology and markets emerging for the new bamboo products, it can be commercially exploited with great success. He also said that tourism, tea industry, handloom and ethnic cuisine are some of the sectors where NEC can fund research to find out prospective avenues to absorb the youth forces.  

Thanking NEC for holding its plenary in Guwahati the Governor said, “It is a great opportunity for all the North Eastern States to come together and introspect on the development initiatives taken up in each NE States and augur a conducive atmosphere for future growth. The Council has striven to serve the needs of the North Eastern states through its focus on special circumstances and needs. Despite many constraints, it has assisted in the planning and development efforts of the states of the Region. I am positive that the deliberations during this plenary meeting and the decisions reached by the Council would help in achieving even more meaningful contribution towards faster socio- economic development of the North East Region”.

The Governor also put it forward that North Eastern Region of the country has the maximum number of international borders apart from its disadvantage of being the land locked region. Despite all these strengths and weaknesses of the North Eastern Region, it should be admitted that the Region has enormous potentials to be developed as one of the prosperous regions in the Country. Assam is strategically located in the North East and Guwahati is the gateway to the North Eastern Region. It is needless to mention that any development projects taken up in Assam, would as a natural corollary ensure that the benefits accrue to other states as well. Hence projects having multi-state impact should be given higher priority by the Ministry of DoNER for funding through NEC. For all round development of NE region, support from NEC is of utmost importance. Therefore, pending any further decision, I would urge upon the Ministry of DoNER and the NEC to continue providing financial assistance to the developmental programmes of the State beyond March, 2020.

The Governor also said that NEC should lay stress on developing connectivity of the region through airways, roadways, railways and waterways. “I would like to call upon the Ministry to develop trade and economic links since there are close historical and cultural ties between the people of the North East and those of the nations of South East Asia in terms of culture, language, history, commerce and environment. These needs to be strengthened by ending the economic isolation of the region through opening of the border trade which will enable development of markets for primary commodities, industrial products and surplus agricultural produce and to facilitate cultural and tourism related interactions with its international neighbours. The “Act East Policy” which is an integral part of the NER Vision, 2020 lays emphasis to improve trade ties with Bangladesh along with the countries in the east such as Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia and this should be brought to its meaningful conclusion.

Governor Prof. Mukhi also observed that Assam is strategically located and there has been considerable growth in Agriculture & Allied Sector. Mechanization, assured irrigation, rise in fertilizer consumption, use of HYV (High Yielding Variety) seeds and soil treatment are the priority areas of the state. He advocated that there is need to lay emphasis on agricultural growth and acceleration in horticulture, floriculture, spices and organic farming along with creation of adequate non-farm activities.

The Governor also said that NEC should take the opportunity by investment in making North East an organic hub of Asia with adequate focus on the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary sector of the state.

Stating that flood and erosion problems faced by Assam in each and every year need to be tackled seriously and therefore, urged upon the NRC for taking projects under Water Resource sector for finding a lasting and tangible solution to flood and erosion. He also requested NEC for sustainable backing for Assam to reach the desired levels of growth and development as envisioned in the NER Vision 2020.

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org
  • 10674 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Assam’s Tirtha Prasad Saikia Appointed APRCEM Focal Point for Conflict and Disaster-Affected Communities

Jorhat: Tirtha Prasad Saikia, Director of the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), an indigenous civil society organisation based in Jorhat, Assam, has been appointed as the Constituency Focal Point for the People Affected by Conflict and Disaster Constituency of the Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (APRCEM). APRCEM is a regional civil society platform that brings together organisations across Asia and the Pacific to engage with intergovernmental processes on sustainable development, particularly the implementation and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this organisational role,...

GHADC Polls Postponed After Violence in West Garo Hills

SHILLONG, Mar 11: The Meghalaya government has postponed the elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) that were scheduled to be held on April 10, 2026, following violent clashes in West Garo Hills that left two people dead. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced the decision on Wednesday, saying the state government reviewed the prevailing law-and-order situation in the Garo Hills region before deciding to defer the polls. The unrest erupted during the nomination process in Chibinang in West Garo Hills, where clashes broke out between groups supporting and opposing the participation of non-tribal candidates in the GHADC elections. Two persons were killed...

Meghalaya High Court Quashes ST Certificate Rule for GHADC Polls

The Meghalaya High Court has set aside a controversial notification that made possession of a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate mandatory for candidates contesting the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Delivering the judgment on March 10, Justice H. S. Thangkhiew ruled that the February 17, 2026 notification issued by the GHADC Executive Committee lacked legal authority and did not follow the procedure required under the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951. The court observed that the notification effectively barred non-tribal voters and candidates from participating in the council elections...

Violence Erupts in Garo Hills, Meghalaya, Amid Election Tensions

TURA, Meghalaya – March 11, 2026: Tensions surrounding the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), scheduled for April 10, have triggered violent clashes in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, leaving two people dead and several others injured. The unrest has also resulted in widespread vandalism and arson in several areas of the district. The tensions stem from a controversial notification requiring candidates contesting the council elections to possess valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate documentation. The rule has effectively prevented many non-tribal residents—particularly Bengali-speaking Muslims living in the plains belt areas such as...

International Women’s Day Observed by NEADS in Jorhat

North East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), a grassroots development organisation based in Jorhat working with people’s struggles and community development initiatives, observed International Women’s Day at Chumoni Chapori village under the Jhanjimukh area in Jorhat district on Sunday, bringing together local women, community leaders and youth to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in society. The programme was organized with the participation of women from riverine communities who shared their experiences, challenges and aspirations for greater social and economic empowerment. The event focused on raising awareness about women’s rights, gender equality and...

Assamese Poet Jiban Narah’s The Yellow Metaphor Published by Penguin

A significant milestone for literature from Northeast India has been marked with the publication of The Yellow Metaphor, a collection of poems by Assamese poet Jiban Narah, now released by Penguin Random House India. The book is a translated anthology of Narah’s poetry and is considered a rare achievement for the region. It is reportedly the first translated poetry collection by a single poet from Northeast India to be published by Penguin, and among only a handful of works in a regional Indian language to receive such recognition from the global publishing house. The Yellow Metaphor brings together 99 selected poems written over a span of 33 years, reflecting Narah’s long poetic...

Meeting Urges Tai-Ahoms to Record Taoism and Tai-Ahom as Mother Tongue in Census

Sivasagar, March 6: A meeting of organisations associated with the religious and intellectual affairs of the Tai-Ahom community was held on Thursday (March 5) at the public auditorium of Bakata Parijat Panchayat in Sivasagar district. The meeting was chaired by Jibeshwar Mohan Deva, founding principal of Tingkhang College. Several prominent personalities attended the meeting, including Manaranjan Baruah, president of the Mohan-Deodhai-Bailung Sanmilan; Vidya Phukan, president of the Mohan-Deodhai-Bailung Pandit Parishad; former president of Phra-Lung-Moung Assam Golap Gohain; secretary Pranjal Mohan; noted Tai cultural researcher Kamal Jyoti Mohan; Tai-Ahom scholar Nripen Mohan;...

Assam’s Move for OIL Stake Sparks Debate

Guwahati, Feb 28: The Assam government’s decision to seek a 5 per cent stake in Oil India Limited (OIL) has triggered discussion on the State’s long-term approach to the oil and gas sector in the Northeast. The proposal, under which Assam has sought a minority share in OIL — where the Government of India holds 56 per cent — will be examined by the Centre, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the State is extending full cooperation to oil sector companies and urged that shares be allocated to Assam to support smoother functioning and stronger coordination. Reacting to the development, Shantikam Hazarika — former Chairman of...

Citizen Flags Data, Nutrition Gaps in HPV Vaccination Drive

New Delhi, March 1: Concerns have been raised over the national HPV vaccination campaign launched on February 28, 2026, with a citizen questioning its scientific basis, operational preparedness, and public health prioritisation. In a public statement, Donthi N. Reddy said that not a single state has published baseline data on cervical cancer incidence or HPV prevalence prior to the rollout. Without such baseline indicators, he argued, outcomes cannot be measured, and without measurable outcomes, the reported annual expenditure of ₹1,300 crore cannot be properly evaluated. The campaign involves administration of the HPV vaccine Gardasil-4 to 14-year-old girls across the country, aiming...

NEADS Assam Participates in the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development at UNESCAP

North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), a grassroots civil society organisation based in Jorhat, Assam, participated in the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) from 24–27 February, 2026, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. Tirtha Prasad Saikia, Director of NEADS, represented the organisation at the Forum. He also participated in his capacity as the Constituency Focal Point for People Affected by Conflicts and Disasters and as a Regional Coordinating Committee Member of the Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (APRCEM). During...