NORTH EASTERN COUNCIL

Without taking social responsibility, North Eastern Council (NEC) has failed to live up to the aspiration of the people of the northeast, social organisations from the region said here today.

In a special two-day consultative meeting with the Planning Commission, to formulate the the Approach Paper for the 12th Five-Year Plan, the social organisations said that the NEC has relegated itself merely to an infrastructure development agency. “The social side of the organisations is sadly missing,” Manisha Behl, advisor North East Network said.

Citing an example, she said, NEC was ready to fund construction of a school building, but takes the least interest thereafter to see that the school actual functions by lending a helping hand in recruitment of staffs, teachers and other related matters.

“The NEC must be people-oriented and try seeking answers to people’s problem. Its role is not just limited to funding,” Behl argued.

Amiya Sharma, from the Rajiv Gandhi Vikas Nidhi, another social organisation, said, that red-tapism in NEC has made it into Babudom. “Nobody knows where the funds are going from the organisation and who the beneficiaries are,” he added.


He said there was no transparency in running of the NEC and that the Ministry of DoNER must take corrective steps so that this vital organisation of the region lives up to its objective.

He further said that the Northeast Industrial policy must also be re-visited. “Many of the industries, like the ones in Byrnihat are flouting norms relating to environment and recruitment of local people.”

Behl, on the other hand said, the Vision 20:20 document has not been finalised. “Some of the vision statements are extremely crucial for the development of the region and these must be incorporated in the next five year plan,” Behl suggested to the Planning Commission.

Meanwhile, Saumitra Chaudhuri member of the Planning Commission said that the suggestions of the social organisations would be considered while formulating the 12th Five-Year plan.

“There are no silver bullets to solve these issues, but solutions are being worked out and one way is to read the minds of the people through social organisations,” he stated.