Solution Proposed For the Development Of

North -East

Sex Ratio growth comparison in NE &

India

Literacy comparison of 2001 & 2011

NER is blessed with rich biodiversity, huge forest wealth, fruits and

vegetables, flowers, herbs and aromatic plants, rare and rich flora and

fauna, India’s largest perennial water system, the River Brahmaputra and

its tributaries, horticultural products/plantation crops/vegetables/spices and

rare forest products. With more than 220 ethnic groups with equal number of dialects makes it hugely diverse region. The North East India is rich in biological diversity and contains more than one-third of the country’s total biodiversity. The region is considered one of the 18 hotspots of the world.

The Northeast of India is endowed with huge untapped natural resources. But

Exploration of minerals is almost undone. Huge amount of explored minerals

are also not economical for supplying due to insurgency and backward

transportation facility. A total of 50,000 MW power potential identified in the

region, less than a quarter has been developed.

The sex ratio growth is quite significant in this region. The literacy rate of this region is quite better than other regions of India as We can see in the chart2.

Statistics shows that female work participation rates (FWPR) are higher in most of the NER states with hilly regions and those inhabited by tribals than other states of rest of India, even in Kerala. This may be a key potential of NE . As reported by Rustogi (2004) in the last eight general elections from 1977 to 1999 , 51 to 59 per cent of women have participated as voters. Of the few contestants among women, the winning rate is higher than that of men. Therefore, women’s participation in public decision-making is gradually improving.

The lifeline of almost every indian is railway. But the thing looks different in case of NE. The areas of NE is hardly

connected with railway tracks. Though the topography of the region is a major problem to expand railway but it should not

be looked like present. The other major reason for backwardness is neglecting the expansion politically.

Solution proposed for Railway connectivity

• Railway between Harmati-Naharlagun will be immediately set up which will connect Arunachal Pradesh, the future power house of india with the other parts directly.

• Dudhnoi-Mehdipathar project will connect Meghalaya, the biggest attraction for the tourists.

• The existing rail track from Lumding to Agartala shall be immediately converted to broad gauge.

• Agartala-Sabroom railway project shall be completed immediately which will be the base of Indo-Bangladesh Import-export business relation through Chittagong sea port.

Solution proposed for Highway connectivity

• A bridge by India across the 110-metre wide Feni River, and for the benefit of the peoples of Bangladesh as well as of North Eastern India. Bangladesh could have access to Indian markets by enabling free trade in the land routes

• Connectivity between the North and South of Assam by constructing bridges on river Brahmaputra at various locations such as between- North- South Guwahati;Dhola and sadiya;Jorhat and North Lakhimpur via Majuli; and Dhubri to Phulbari in Meghalaya.

Solution proposed for Air connectivity

• Bagdogra Airport can be declared as an international airport. It can then connect Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal thereby facilitating tourist inflow from SAARC countries. This will further increase tourists to Sikkim.

• Flights can be introduced between Gaya and Bagdogra to attract Buddhist tourists visiting Bodhgaya to Sikkim. Similarly, flights between Bodhgaya to Tejpur to attract tourists from Gaya to Tawang.

• The frequency of flights between Guwahati and Bangkok needs to be increased and flights between Guwahati and Dhaka, Bhutan (Paro), Nepal (Kathmandu) and Kunming need to be introduced.

• Work out with airlines better timings for flights to leave Guwahati for Dimapur, Silchar, etc, so that tourists can get connection the same day instead of staying overnight at Guwahati to catch early morning flight.

Advantage Over present System

• These developments in the field of transportation will strengthen economy of the North Eastern region. Proper transportation will be the base of the tourism facility. Again if the connectivity is good then the companies will be attracted to NE. there will be lot of employment facility. We will be able to use the huge natural resources available in NE. Thus NE will no longer be called as a backward region, rather it will be called as the Economy House of India.

Solution proposed for Tourism Development

• The North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy will provide incentives to tourism units such as hotels (not below Two Star category), adventure and leisure sports including ropeways, and institutes for hotel management, catering and food crafts. This policy is applicable to all the eight states.

• Availability of ATMs, internet services are limited to major city centres is another serious issue. We shall provide sufficient amount of facilities for this.

• Tourist Safety is a major concern in certain areas- on a reality front and on a perception front. Protection of the major tourist spots and city centres will be strengthen.

• Most of the foreign tourists are coming to North Eastern Region through packaged tours, which also leads to less use of available local facilities and local markets. At least one major Big Bazaar type shopping malls will be set up in highlighted districts where tourists come in large amount by the whole year.

• Management measures are lacking in checking the quality of service of Tourism Service Providers including Hoteliers, Tour Operators, Guides etc. Competent marketing strategies need to be sort to in developing and promoting hotel and allied industry in North Eastern Region .

Tourism Infrastructure is analysed in terms of Accessibility, Accommodation, Restaurants, Tourist Information Centres, Tour and

Travel services, Tourist guides, Shopping Facilities, Banking and money exchange, Tourist Safety, Tourism Police, Other

facilities and services.

Solution Proposed for Power Sector:

• The power projects ongoing should be completed in time bound manner.

• The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) could be approached for appropriate subsidies for use of non conventional energy tapping – wind mills look like a promising option. These could also be tourist attraction enroute.

• Alternate sources of power and integrated power plan needs to be finalized with prioritized packages, grid systems, governance plans etc.

Solution proposed for Telecommunication Sector

• Telecommunication projects should be taken up on priority for overall development of the region. Packages specific to improvement of telecommunication are not drawn under the Tourism Master Plan as this is a larger regional development issue which needs to be addressed.

Solution Proposed for

Medical Care

• Most of the people are dependent on Chennai or Delhi for major health crisis. In north east we do not have such renowned hospital like AIIMS. So, a famous hospital cum medical college of national importance like AIIMS will be built here.

Solution Proposed for Employment

(Soft Skill)

• Literacy of North East is up to the mark and average english proficiency of this area is quite good in comparison to other parts of India. So we can use this average talented resources . Most of the companies need a huge quantity of soft skilled workers. We can setup Central Tool Rooms in every states of North East. These tool rooms will make them skilled and thus North East can become a supplier of Skilled workers.

Proposed Indian Foreign Policy

• Greater India-Bangladesh economic co-operation, including transit facility for the Northeast through Bangladesh, can be a major economic boon to the region. Looking at the poor condition of Haldia port (the nearest Indian port from north east) , allowancwe of trading through Chittagong port will not only opens up plenty of trading options for north east but also will connect it with the rest . Moreover the road and railway transit through Bangladesh will favour north eastern economy by having cheap connectivity and transportation with rest of India.

• Opening transit through Myanmar will make north east region the Eastern Gateway of Asia which will automatically pump up the economy of these parts of India allong with others. Further this will help in economic exchange with countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Malayasia.

• Though Indo-China trade has been expanding in the recent years, very little of this trade takes place across the Northeast Indian border. Easing the political condition between the countries on border related issues can open up of effective Northeast India-China border trade which will play a great role in the gross economy of north east.

• Moreover with above points in consideration, globalisation in these sunrising states can act like a trigger for the economy and lifestyle of these parts of India, as it will not only be a mere inspiration for others to trade here but also a hope for a better and bright economic future.

Proposed Solution in the Field of Sports:

Sports academy in every district of NE region which will be equipped with all modern sporting facilities and skilled coaching staffs will be set up. Besides the academy will be linked with a school which will provide education to the emerging talents.

NE people are the ardent lovers of Football. World famous football teams will be invited here for exhibition matches which will motivate the young footballing talents. Sub coaching centers of famous clubs can be established here.

A world class athletic stadium like Salt-lake Stadium shall be built which will comprise all kind of sporting & practicing facilities .

North Eastern Premiere League will be introduced for the Development of Football.

Permit system for some states makes it difficult for the independent travellers to make self arrangements for travelling to certain cities for issue of permits. Enactment of a revised form of this system giving reasonable permit to other states would play a big role in this sector.

The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) can be approached for appropriate subsidies for use of non conventional energy tapping – wind mills look like a promising option. These could also be tourist attraction enroute.

100% Excise Duty exemption will be continued, on finished products

made in the North Eastern Region, as was available under NEIP, 1997. 100% Income Tax exemption will continue under NEIIPP, 2007 as was

available under NEIP, 1997.

Challenges & Mitigation Factors

Terrorism being a severe backlog in any kind of development in these parts of India, one has to overcome this major problem in the very outset.

Educating the illiterate part of the people on these burning topics of present India can get rid of this problem.

Giving opportunities to the people of various terrorist groups in government activities will inspire them to find a new path of earnings.

As per POTA act of 2002, better investigation against terrorist activities and better protection forces should be implemented in these regions.

Power Generating plants will continue to get incentives as governed by the

provisions of Section 81A of the Income tax Act. In addition, power generating

plants up to 10 MW based on both conventional and non-conventional sources will also be eligible for capital investment subsidy, interest subsidy and comprehensive insurance as applicable under NEIIPP, 2007.

The Transport Subsidy Scheme would continue beyond 31.3.2007, on the

same terms and conditions. However, an early evaluation of the scheme will be

carried out with a view to introducing necessary safeguards to prevent possible

leakages and misuse.

Appendix

References

• Industry in the Development Perspective of North East India • Indian states and territories ranking by sex ratio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. • Indian states ranking by literacy rate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. • List of Indian states by GDP - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia • ACTION PLAN FOR N.E. REGION BASED ON NER VISION 2020

• Planning_Commission_Yugandhar_NER_Infrastructure_Task_Force_Report 2006

• Infrastructure Development Plan- Tata Consultancy Service.