During the 71st plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Meghalaya, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the transformative decade the North-East region has experienced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Shah emphasized the unparalleled focus on infrastructure development and conflict resolution in the past 10 years, making it a golden era for the North-East.
Comparing the last decade to the 75 years post-Independence, Shah asserted that the North-East’s progress, including reduced distance to Delhi and improved connectivity, signifies a remarkable shift. He also noted the significant reduction in ethnic, linguistic, border, and extremist-related challenges, ushering in a new era of lasting peace.
Expressing the government’s commitment to the North-East, Shah mentioned the establishment of a separate ministry during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s time and the current implementation of three key mantras: ‘Act East’, ‘Act Fast’, and ‘Act First.’ The region receives priority across all ministries of the Government of India.
Shah credited the NEC, established 50 years ago, for accelerating regional development by providing a policy platform and simplifying solutions to state-specific issues. Over the years, more than 12,000 km of roads, 700 MW power plants, and national excellence institutes have been established under NEC guidance. The Act East Policy, led by PM Modi, has further expanded the scope of NEC, reinforcing the commitment to the region’s progress.