Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr. Jitendra Singh and Vice-chairman, NITI Aayog Rajeev Kumar attended the NITI Forum meet in Agartala for the Northeastern States.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and other ministers from different States of Northeast were present.
In the day-long meeting, the members of the NITI Forum for Northeast expressed their suggestions on the areas of development like — Hydel Power, Tourism, Border Trade, Bamboo, Floriculture, Medicinal plants, Horticulture, Handicrafts, Animal Husbandry, Organic Farming, etc.
Meghalaya Chief Minister expressed his concern on infrastructure development including air connectivity between Northeast and other ASEAN countries and proper road connectivity between all State capitals of the region.
“2022 National Games in Meghalaya should be treated as an event for Northeast and momentum of growth and development should be accelerated”, Sangma said.
He also remarked that formation of NITI Aayog Forum would go a long way in realizing the potential of Northeast, as all the States will come together to address challenges based on similarities to chart an action plan.
Sangma also expressed his concern on climate change and expressed his views on mitigation and adaptation. “There is a need to create small check dams and reservoirs and hybrid system for power, so that we are able to tap the potential of our resources”, he said.
“I am optimistic that NITI Aayog Forum for Northeast would be able to guide each State to move forward with specific suggestions and ideas”, he said.
He informed the gathering that Meghalaya is contemplating charting a policy on waste disposal management and would recycle plastics and engage communities to produce organic manures from bio wastes.