Imphal: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah addressed the 72nd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Agartala, Tripura, on Saturday. He highlighted the region’s transformative progress in the past decade and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for bringing the region into the global spotlight.
Shah stated that, under PM Modi’s vision, the Northeast has transitioned from being an overlooked region to a development priority. The Prime Minister’s sensitivity and focus have bridged both physical and emotional distances between the region and the rest of India, fostering unprecedented infrastructure development and cultural integration.
Over the last 10 years, significant progress has been made in peacebuilding, with over 10,574 insurgents laying down arms and joining the mainstream. Several peace accords have been signed, paving the way for stability and enabling development. Shah noted that violent incidents in the region have dropped by 71%, while civilian deaths have decreased by 86%.
He emphasized that the cultural diversity of the Northeast, with its 200+ tribal groups and 195+ dialects, has shifted from being a source of conflict to a global attraction. The region now stands as one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots, home to over 7,500 species of flowers, unique wildlife, and abundant water resources.
Development initiatives and connectivity
Shah underscored the central government’s commitment to transforming the Northeast into a key contributor to India’s development. Initiatives such as the “Act East, Act Fast, and Act First” strategy and the PM-DevINE scheme, with an increased allocation of ₹9,000 crore, have fueled infrastructure and economic growth. Key projects include:
- ₹81,000 crore allocated for rail connectivity.
- ₹41,000 crore for road connectivity.
- Launch of 64 new air routes, with more underway.
Shah highlighted the importance of industrial investment in the region. He announced plans to establish three semiconductor units, including Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Private Limited in Assam, with a ₹27,000 crore investment, expected to create 80,000 jobs.
The Mission Palm Oil initiative aims to make India self-reliant in edible oil production, and organic farming has been prioritized. An organic certification lab will be set up in each state to support farmers and boost exports.
Cultural preservation and security measures
Shah emphasized preserving the region’s cultural heritage, advocating primary education in local languages to safeguard its diverse traditions. The Modi government has also included more Northeast languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
In the realm of security, Shah noted that the government’s multi-dimensional approach has fostered peace across the region. He also stressed the importance of combating drug trafficking and called for district-level monitoring to achieve a drug-free Northeast.
Future vision
Shah urged governors and chief ministers to leverage technological solutions for flood prevention, agriculture, and tourism, citing Assam’s successful creation of large water reservoirs. He also highlighted the role of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) in advancing development initiatives.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the Northeast will emerge as the country’s most prosperous region by 2047, coinciding with India’s centenary of independence.
The event was attended by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, and other key dignitaries, including the governors and chief ministers of various Northeastern states.
