The 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) commenced in Shillong on Thursday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairing the high-level meeting attended by chief ministers, governors and senior officials from the eight northeastern states.
The session, being held at the State Convention Centre in Shillong, is focused on issues related to regional development, connectivity, infrastructure, investment, tourism, power, education and inter-state cooperation across the Northeast.
The meeting has brought together the chief ministers and governors of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim to review ongoing projects and discuss developmental priorities for the region.
Officials said the plenary is expected to deliberate on measures to accelerate economic growth, improve connectivity and strengthen coordination among the northeastern states. The council is also likely to review recommendations submitted by sector-specific task forces constituted to identify growth opportunities and address developmental challenges.
The NEC’s annual plenary session serves as the apex policy-making forum for the region, providing a platform for the Centre and northeastern states to jointly formulate development strategies and monitor the implementation of major projects.
Earlier, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the meeting would focus on regional cooperation and the implementation of recommendations made by task forces working in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, sports, investment promotion and infrastructure.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared a photograph from the meeting on social media platform X and described Shah as the “Architect of Peace in modern India.”
In his post, Sarma wrote: “Team North East with the Architect of Peace in modern India, Home Minister Amit Shah, the Chairman of North Eastern Council. 73rd Plenary of NEC, Shillong.”
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia also shared a message on X, stating: “United in our resolve to realise a stronger, more prosperous #RisingNortheast.”
The NEC, which functions under the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), plays a key role in planning, funding and coordinating projects aimed at promoting balanced and sustainable development across the Northeast.
(With IANS inputs)
