NITI Forum to Bring About a Sea of Change in NE: Dr Jitendra Singh

GUWAHATI: DONER minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday asserted that setting up of NITI Forum for North East is not only an unprecedented in the history of Independent India but also a vindication of Prime Minister Narendra Modi commitment to bring about a sea of change in the development of North East.

Dr Jitendra Singh while speaking to reporters here on Tuesday afternoon soon after the second meeting of NITI Forum for North East, said the NITI Forum for NE is in the line with the Prime Minister’s vision and it is a unique effort that brings government, academia, and the civil society all in one place, for providing various new ideas for solving the hurdles in developing the region.

In February 2018, the NITI Forum for North East was constituted to periodically review the development status in the region. The Forum would identify various constraints on the way for accelerated, inclusive but sustainable, economic growth in the region and to recommend suitable interventions for addressing identified constraints

Earlier addressing the Forum’s meeting the DONER minister spoke about the various initiatives by the Central Government like the National Bamboo Mission, health sector programmes, Startup India, Youth Hostels for NE students studying outside the Region, tea sector etc.

Chairman NITI Forum, Dr Rajiv Kumar said the Forum for North East will henceforth hold three meetings every year.

“After the launch meeting at Agartala on April 10, 2018, the first operational meeting of NITI Forum for NE States was held today and the Experts Group Meetings will be held in between the meetings of the NITI Forum,” he said.

Kumar said an implementable action plan is to be developed for the North East which is practical, tangible and durable. He asked the Secretary NEC to present 5 important recommendations of the Expert Panels on Bamboo, Tea, Tourism, Fisheries and Dairy. He said, “The Forum would work for accelerating the pace of socio-economical growth of the Region. It would focus on action based approach and would work towards substantial results in a time-bound manner.”

He further added that NITI Forum, North East Water Management Authority and North Eastern Council will coordinate for important development projects on the ground for the region.