Plan assures more for region

The Twelfth Five Year Plan will focus on further development of infrastructure and connectivity in the Northeast.

“The Eleventh Five Year Plan had laid special emphasis on development of infrastructure and connectivity in the Northeast. What started in the eleventh plan will be continued in the Twelfth Plan for further development of infrastructure and connectivity in the region,” said deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia here today after the regional-level consultation meeting of the states of the region on the approach paper to the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-2017).

The approach paper will provide the architecture, which will be fleshed out in detail in the Plan. It lays out the major targets, the key challenges in meeting them, and the broad approach that must be followed to achieve the stated objectives during the plan period.

Ahluwalia said they were in the final stages of preparing the approach paper, which is expected to be ready by the end of July. The cabinet and the National Development Council will approve the approach paper.

In a presentation given at the regional consultation, the Planning Commission said given the limited connectivity of the region with other parts of the country (through Siliguri corridor), access through Bangladesh needs to be explored.

The presentation laid emphasis on strong relationship with Bangladesh to ensure effective connectivity by different modes of transport and connecting the Northeast by road to South East Asia through Moreh (Manipur)-Mandalay/Bagan (Myanmar)-Mae Sot/Chiang Mai (Thailand). The plan panel also mentioned the expeditious implementation of multi-model transport using Kaladan river as alternate route of connectivity to the Northeast.

The presentation stressed the need for strengthening air connectivity, time-bound completion of new green field airports at Pakyong and Itanagar, besides quick development of other airports, and continuation of helicopter services with all safety measures.

Union minister of state for planning Ashwani Kumar emphasised the need to proactively engage countries neighbouring the region to remove trade barriers in consultation with the ministry of external affairs.

Ahluwalia said since the aim of the Look East Police was greater integration of India with countries lying on the east of us, the Northeast, because of its geographical proximity with the South East Asian nations, should benefit from it. He said apart from infrastructure and connectivity, the Twelfth Plan will also focus on agriculture, education and health.

On being asked whether the 90 per cent grants and 10 per cent loan formula for the states of the region for Union government-sponsored schemes would be withdrawn, Ahluwalia said they were not thinking of discontinuing any privilege enjoyed by the states of the Northeast.

All the chief ministers of the region — barring Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling — and Planning Commission member Narendra Jadhav, attended the consultation.

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi asked the plan panel to lay special emphasis on removing regional disparity, improving connectivity and education in the state. He stressed the need for proper utilisation of water resources.