On December 22, 2024, during the 72nd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Agartala, Governor Om Prakash Mathur voiced concerns over the decreasing funds from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). Chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, the meeting focused on overcoming regional challenges to spur socio-economic development in Northeast India.
Governor Mathur praised the NEC’s work in reducing regional disparities and urged for strategic planning as the NEC nears its 75th anniversary. He proposed a comprehensive roadmap, “Developed North East 2047,” aligning with India’s broader developmental vision. Mathur also suggested establishing an Ethno Medicine and Tourism Commission to harness the region’s herbal resources, aiming to boost medical tourism and economic opportunities.
On infrastructure, Mathur emphasized significant investments to enhance tourism and connectivity in Sikkim, projecting a tenfold revenue increase by 2047. He highlighted the necessity of integrating Sikkim’s tourist circuits with other Northeastern states and improving connectivity.
Addressing disaster resilience, Mathur acknowledged the October 2023 floods in Sikkim and thanked the Indian government for its support. He requested prompt approval for proposed funds, emphasizing road maintenance and the completion of alternative highway projects, vital for Sikkim’s economy after heavy rain damages.
Concerns extended to air connectivity, particularly the suspended operations at Greenfield Airport in Pakyong, urging quick intervention from the Central government. Mathur stressed the need for restoring annual allocations and reassessing funding criteria amid a decline in funds from the Ministry of DoNER and the 15th Finance Commission.
The Governor concluded by reiterating the importance of improved telecommunications and collective efforts to realize the vision of a Developed North East by 2047, applauding the Central government’s ongoing support and the NEC’s North East Region Vision 2047 initiative. This meeting also saw participation from other key officials, including DoNER minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/governor-mathur-records-concern-on-declining-doner-fund
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