North Eastern Council (NEC)

When we study regional administration in India—especially developmental institutions for special zones—the North Eastern Council (NEC) becomes a very important statutory body. It acts as the apex regional planning and coordinating agency for the eight North Eastern states.

Let’s understand this:

Establishment

The NEC is:

• A statutory (not constitutional) body
• Established in 1972
• Under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971

Member States (8)

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Assam
• Manipur
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
• Tripura
• Sikkim (added in 2002 through amendment)

Headquarters: Shillong, Meghalaya

Purpose of establishing NEC

The Council was created to:

1. Secure balanced development in the NE region
2. Promote inter-state coordination
3. Support security and public order
4. Act as the Regional Planning Body (after 2002 Amendment)

Administrative Control

NEC functions under:

👉 Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER)

This Ministry was created to give dedicated attention and budgetary support to NE development.

Composition of the NEC

NEC is a unique body where the Centre and States come together.

Members of the NEC

1. Governors of all 8 member states
2. Chief Ministers of all 8 member states
   If a state does not have a Council of Ministers → President can nominate a representative
3. Three members nominated by the President
4. A Union Minister may also be nominated by the President (if needed)
5. Chairman of NEC → Nominated by the President
6. Vice-Chairman → Also nominated by the President if required

Important Change (2018 onwards)

• Union Home Minister → Ex-officio Chairman
• Minister in-charge of DONER → Ex-officio Vice Chairman

This ensures strong central coordination and faster decision-making.

Functions of the NEC

NEC is primarily a regional planning and coordinating body. Its functions reflect development, security, and inter-state cooperation.

Let’s understand them:

A. Regional Planning

1. NEC prepares the Regional Plan

It formulates regional development plans for the entire North Eastern Region.

2. Priority to Inter-State Projects

While preparing plans, NEC gives priority to:

• Projects benefiting two or more states
  (roads, infrastructure corridors, power projects, etc.)

Special Case: Sikkim

For Sikkim, NEC prepares specific state-level projects, even if they do not benefit other states.

B. Monitoring and Coordination

3. Review of Implementation

NEC:

• Periodically reviews progress
• Ensures coordination among states and implementing agencies
• Suggests corrective measures

4. For Inter-State Projects

NEC recommends:

1. How the project should be executed
2. How benefits should be shared
3. How expenditure should be distributed

This reduces disputes among states.

C. Security and Public Order

5. Review of Security Measures

NEC reviews measures for:

• Internal security
• Public order
• Peace and stability in border-sensitive areas

And recommends necessary improvements.

D. Additional Powers

6. Powers delegated by Centre

The Central Government can delegate additional powers to NEC as required.

Revitalisation of NEC (Post–2002 Amendment)

The NEC Act was amended in 2002 to redefine NEC as a Regional Planning Body. To operationalise this new mandate, the Ministry of DONER formed the NEC Revitalisation Committee in 2003.

Committee Report Submitted: 2004

The Committee’s recommendations focused on strengthening NEC’s structure and functioning.

Key Recommendations of the Revitalisation Committee

The recommendations can be grouped into nine major areas:

1. Composition of NEC

Suggested restructuring for better representation and efficient functioning.

2. Strengthening the Secretariat

• More professional staffing
• Better organisational structure
• Technical experts for planning

3. Setting up Sectoral Empowered Committees

To handle specialised sectors such as:

• Infrastructure
• Power
• Transport
• Border management
• Tourism
• Education & health

4. Improved Regional Planning

• Integrated and scientific regional planning
• Sustainable development strategies
• Stronger coordination among states

5. Financing the Regional Plan

Recommended shifting from:

• Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) →
  to
• Gross Budgetary Support (GBS)
  for more stable and predictable funding.

6. Implementation of Regional Plans

Suggested mechanisms for:

• Faster execution
• Better inter-state coordination
• Reduction of delays

7. Monitoring & Evaluation

Recommended:

• Strong monitoring systems
• Third-party evaluations
• Performance-based review

8. NEC’s Role in Border Trade

Suggested measures to enhance:

• Cross-border trade
• Connectivity
• Border infrastructure

Given the NE region’s strategic location near Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar, this is crucial.

9. Operationalising NEC’s Security Mandate

Suggested frameworks for NEC’s role in:

• Internal security coordination
• Border management
• Peace-building initiatives