Question

With reference to the North-Eastern Council, consider the following statements:

1. It was created to address the unique developmental needs of North-Eastern states.

2. It includes only seven states, excluding Sikkim.

3. The council operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 1 and 3 only

North-Eastern Council (NEC)

• Establishment and Purpose: The North-Eastern Council (NEC) was established by an Act of Parliament, the North-Eastern Council Act, 1971. Its primary objective is to function as a regional planning and coordinating body for the socio-economic development of the North-Eastern Region of India. It was created specifically to address the unique developmental challenges and needs of this geographically distinct region.

• Mandate: The NEC was conceived to accelerate the integrated socio-economic development of the North Eastern Region and to achieve greater coordination among the states in this region. It plays a crucial role in formulating plans and ensuring balanced development.

• Inclusion of States: Initially, the NEC comprised the seven sister states of North-East India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. However, Sikkim was added as the eighth member state of the NEC in 2002 through an amendment to the Act. Therefore, statement 2, which claims it includes only seven states excluding Sikkim, is incorrect.

• Administrative Ministry: The North-Eastern Council operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India. The Ministry of Home Affairs is involved in certain aspects of security and internal affairs of the region, but the day-to-day administration and developmental planning of the NEC falls under DoNER. Thus, statement 3, indicating it operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is factually incorrect in terms of its primary administrative and developmental oversight. (Note: For competitive exams, it's crucial to be aware of the specific ministry. While there might be inter-ministerial coordination, the primary administrative link is DoNER.)

• Key Functions: The NEC undertakes various activities including:

  • Formulating regional plans and schemes.

  • Coordinating development projects and programmes.

  • Promoting inter-state cooperation.

  • Identifying and prioritising projects of regional importance.

  • Securing financial and technical assistance for the region.

• Significance for Exams: Understanding the establishment, member states (including the addition of Sikkim), and the administrative ministry of the NEC is important for questions related to regional development, federalism, and government bodies in India.