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Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER): Overview and Achievements
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) was established in September 2001 and became a full-fledged ministry in 2004. It is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the planning and execution of development schemes and programs in the eight North Eastern states of India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Key Objectives:
- Accelerate the socio-economic development of the region.
- Improve connectivity and infrastructure.
- Promote industrialization and entrepreneurship.
- Enhance human resource development.
- Strengthen cultural identity and preserve biodiversity.
Major Achievements:
- Infrastructure Development:
- Over ₹12,000 crore invested in roads, bridges, power, and water supply projects through the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) and North Eastern Council (NEC).
- More than 3,000 km of roads built or upgraded across the region.
- Connectivity Boost:
- Launch of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme led to air connectivity in previously unserved airports like Pakyong (Sikkim), Tezu (Arunachal), and Hollongi (near Itanagar).
- Railway lines extended to states like Manipur (Imphal), Mizoram (Aizawl), and Arunachal Pradesh (Itanagar).
- Digital and Telecom Expansion:
- Introduction of BharatNet to expand broadband infrastructure in rural areas.
- Expansion of mobile connectivity through saturation of 4G towers under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
- Skill Development & Employment:
- Skill training provided to more than 2 lakh youth through various central schemes.
- Entrepreneurship promoted via schemes like North East Venture Fund, which supports start-ups and local businesses.
- Handicrafts and handloom sectors revived, creating rural jobs and boosting exports.
Impact on GDP:
- The North Eastern region has shown steady growth with states like Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya registering higher GSDP growth.
- Increased investments and central schemes have significantly contributed to sectors like tourism, agriculture, logistics, and IT services.
Jobs Created:
- Over 4 lakh direct and indirect jobs have been created in the last decade.
- Boost in tourism and hospitality post improved connectivity created job opportunities, especially for local youth and women.
- New industrial clusters and organic farming initiatives have led to rural employment.
Other Notable Developments:
- Act East Policy: Strengthening economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia through the North East region as a gateway.
- Organic Farming: North East is becoming India’s organic hub, with Sikkim being the first 100% organic state.
- Promotion of Cultural Heritage: Preservation of tribal cultures, festivals, and languages through cultural grants and support programs.
- Sustainable Development: Emphasis on ecological protection with renewable energy projects and afforestation drives.
UPSC Questions for Ministry of Development of North East :
1) “The development of the North East is critical for India’s Act East Policy.” Discuss the role of MDoNER in enhancing connectivity, trade, and regional integration in this context. (250 words)
The Development of North East and India’s Act East Policy
The North East (NE) region is pivotal for India’s Act East Policy, which seeks to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia through enhanced connectivity, trade, and regional integration. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) plays a crucial role in this by bridging infrastructure gaps, promoting economic growth, and facilitating cross-border linkages.
Role of MDoNER in Enhancing Connectivity
- Infrastructure Development: MDoNER implements projects like the North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS) and Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP-NE) to improve road connectivity, linking the region with Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
- Air and Rail Connectivity: Upgrading airports (e.g., Guwahati, Imphal) and expanding railway networks (e.g., Jiribam-Imphal line) enhances regional and international access.
- Digital Connectivity: Initiatives like North East Knowledge Network (NEKN) improve digital infrastructure, facilitating trade and communication.
Boosting Trade and Regional Integration
- Economic Zones: MDoNER supports Border Haats and trade hubs like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, boosting commerce with ASEAN nations.
- Act East Policy Projects: The ministry collaborates on projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, improving trade routes to Myanmar.
- Tourism and Cultural Exchange: MDoNER promotes NE as a gateway to Southeast Asia, fostering people-to-people ties.
Conclusion
MDoNER’s efforts in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and regional cooperation are critical for integrating the NE with Southeast Asia, making it a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy. By addressing developmental asymmetries, the ministry ensures the region becomes a strategic and economic bridge to ASEAN.
2) Evaluate the performance of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in terms of infrastructure development, employment generation, and inclusive growth. Suggest policy improvements. (250 words)
Evaluation of MDoNER’s Performance and Policy Suggestions
Infrastructure Development
MDoNER has made progress in improving connectivity through initiatives like the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) and road projects under SARDP-NE. However, delays in execution, land acquisition issues, and underutilization of funds persist. Policy Suggestion: Strengthen public-private partnerships (PPPs), expedite clearances, and adopt advanced project monitoring mechanisms.
Employment Generation
While schemes like North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) and Skill Development Initiatives have created jobs, unemployment remains high due to a mismatch between skills and market demands. Policy Suggestion: Align skill development programs with emerging sectors (e.g., tourism, agro-processing, IT) and promote entrepreneurship through easier credit access.
Inclusive Growth
MDoNER’s focus on tribal welfare and women’s empowerment (e.g., North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project) has fostered inclusivity. Yet, disparities persist in remote areas. Policy Suggestion: Enhance last-mile delivery of welfare schemes through digital governance and community participation.
Additional Recommendations
- Boost Tourism: Develop eco-tourism circuits and improve connectivity to attract investments.
- Enhance Trade: Strengthen cross-border trade infrastructure with ASEAN nations.
- Climate Resilience: Integrate sustainable development in infrastructure projects to mitigate flood risks.
Conclusion
MDoNER has contributed to infrastructure and social development but needs better implementation, skill-industry alignment, and private sector involvement to ensure sustainable growth in the North East.
3) Despite abundant natural resources and cultural richness, the North Eastern region lags in industrial development. Examine the role of the central government and MDoNER in addressing this gap. (250 words)
Central Government and MDoNER’s Role in Bridging Industrial Development Gaps in North East India
The North Eastern Region (NER), despite its rich natural resources, biodiversity, and cultural heritage, remains industrially underdeveloped due to geographical isolation, infrastructural deficits, and socio-political challenges. The Central Government and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) have undertaken several initiatives to address these gaps, but structural bottlenecks persist.
Key Interventions by the Central Government
- Policy and Fiscal Support:
- North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS): Provides incentives like capital subsidies, tax exemptions, and freight subsidies to attract industries.
- Special Category Status: Ensures higher central funding (90:10 Centre-state ratio) for development projects.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Bharatmala and Sagarmala Projects: Improve road and port connectivity for trade.
- Dedicated Freight Corridors: Enhance logistics efficiency for industries.
MDoNER’s Contributions
- NESIDS and NERDS: Focus on critical infrastructure like roads, power, and digital connectivity.
- Promotion of Agro-based and Handicraft Industries: Supports MSMEs through schemes like North East Venture Fund (NEVF).
- Act East Policy Linkages: Facilitates cross-border trade with ASEAN via projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.
Challenges & Policy Recommendations
- Weak Private Investment: Improve ease of doing business through single-window clearances and better law & order.
- Skill-Industry Mismatch: Align vocational training with local industries (bamboo, tea, tourism).
- Sustainable Industrialization: Promote eco-friendly industries to leverage NER’s biodiversity.
Conclusion
While the Central Government and MDoNER have laid a foundation for industrial growth, accelerated infrastructure development, enhanced private sector participation, and better policy implementation are needed to unlock the region’s potential.
4) How do initiatives like the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) and UDAN impact regional disparity in India? Illustrate with examples. (250 words)
Regional disparity refers to the unequal distribution of development, infrastructure, and opportunities across various regions in India. The North Eastern Region (NER), despite being rich in natural and cultural resources, has historically lagged in infrastructure, connectivity, and economic growth.
To bridge this gap, the Government of India launched focused schemes like the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) and UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik).
NESIDS aims at filling critical gaps in physical and social infrastructure. It funds projects related to roads, power, water supply, and tourism. For example, the construction of all-weather roads in Manipur and rural electrification in Arunachal Pradesh under NESIDS has improved access and quality of life. It directly impacts regional disparity by bringing remote areas into the national development fold.
UDAN, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, enhances regional air connectivity by making air travel affordable and linking underserved airports. Airports like Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh, Pakyong in Sikkim, and Lengpui in Mizoram have become operational, significantly reducing travel time and promoting tourism, trade, and mobility.
Both schemes help reduce the isolation of the North East, boost local economies, and create jobs, thereby narrowing the development gap with mainstream India. However, sustained policy support, local participation, and environmental sensitivity are essential for long-term impact.
Thus, these initiatives represent a strategic shift towards inclusive growth and help address regional disparities in a focused manner.
Conclusion :
According to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), over ₹3,700 crore has been sanctioned under NESIDS for more than 250 infrastructure projects across the eight North Eastern states since its inception. Under the UDAN scheme, over 20 regional airports have been operationalized in the region, improving air connectivity and reducing travel time by up to 60% in some sectors.
These schemes have also contributed to employment generation, with MDoNER reporting over 2.5 lakh job opportunities created directly or indirectly in the last few years. Such targeted initiatives are instrumental in bridging regional disparities, integrating the North East with the national economy, and ensuring inclusive and balanced development.
5) “Sustainable development in the North East requires a balance between ecological sensitivity and economic growth.” Critically analyze with special reference to government schemes and MDoNER policies. (250 words)
Balancing Ecology and Economy in North East India: A Critical Analysis
The North Eastern Region (NER), a biodiversity hotspot with fragile ecosystems, faces the dual challenge of promoting economic growth while preserving its ecological balance. Government schemes and MDoNER policies have attempted to strike this balance, but gaps in implementation and planning persist.
Ecological Sensitivity & Developmental Challenges
- The NER has 34% of India’s forest cover, numerous rivers, and endemic species, making it ecologically vulnerable.
- Shifting cultivation, deforestation, and unplanned urbanization threaten sustainability.
- Climate change impacts, such as floods in Assam and landslides in Meghalaya, exacerbate risks.
Government & MDoNER Initiatives for Sustainable Development
- Promotion of Green Industries
- North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS) incentivizes eco-friendly industries like organic farming and bamboo processing.
- National Mission on Bamboo Applications supports sustainable livelihoods.
- Infrastructure with Ecological Safeguards
- NESIDS funds projects with Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
- Act East Policy emphasizes climate-resilient roads (e.g., Trans-Arunachal Highway).
- Community-Centric Conservation
- North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) promotes agroecology and forest-based livelihoods.
- MDoNER’s Ecotourism Initiatives (e.g., Loktak Lake, Kaziranga) ensure tourism does not degrade ecosystems.
Critical Gaps & Policy Recommendations
- Weak Enforcement of EIAs: Many projects bypass environmental norms. Solution: Strengthen monitoring and involve local communities in oversight.
- Overemphasis on Mega-Projects: Large dams (e.g., Tipaimukh) risk displacing tribes and disrupting rivers. Alternative: Prioritize micro-hydel and solar energy.
- Inclusive Growth vs. Exploitation: Tribal land rights must be safeguarded under Forest Rights Act (FRA) while promoting industries.
Conclusion
While MDoNER and central schemes acknowledge sustainable development, greater decentralization, stricter environmental compliance, and community participation are needed to ensure growth does not come at nature’s cost.
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