Sansad TV: North East Development | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Challenges in Development

• Geographical Challenges: The North East region faces several geographical challenges that hinder development. These include high rainfall, shifting river courses, poor drainage systems, and narrow valleys. These factors contribute to frequent severe floods, erosion, landslides, and sand deposition, resulting in the loss of valuable agricultural land. Additionally, the hilly, inaccessible, and undulating terrain has led to underdeveloped transportation infrastructure in the region. Another issue is the extensive practice of "Jhum cultivation," which leads to large-scale deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of soil fertility.
• Vulnerability to Disasters: The North East region is prone to natural disasters due to its high rainfall and large river basins, such as the Brahmaputra and the Barak, along with their narrow valleys. This vulnerability results in recurrent severe floods, erosion, landslides, and sand deposition, causing significant damage to agricultural land. Consequently, the average size of land holdings in the region is reduced.
• Historical Challenges: Despite its potential, the development of the North East region has been hindered by various historical challenges. For instance, the influx of millions of refugees from Bangladesh during the 1971 liberation war altered the demographic situation in certain North-Eastern states. Additionally, insurgency problems emerged in states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram during different periods, hampering development in those regions. However, due to actions taken by the Central and State governments, insurgency in the region is no longer a significant concern.
• Infrastructure-related Factors: The North East region faces notable shortcomings in its infrastructure, as evident from congested roads, frequent power failures, and drinking water shortages.
• Political Challenges: The Chinese aggression on Arunachal Pradesh (known as NEFA at that time) in 1962 discouraged significant private investment in the North East. Additionally, the large-scale migration from Bangladesh has resulted in various socio-economic and political issues. The prevalence of "bandhs" (strikes) in Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland is a unique problem in the region. Moreover, a significant portion of the North East lacks proper land records, making individual land ownership unclear.
• Social Challenges: The remarkable growth of migration from the North East to other parts of the country, driven by the search for education and job opportunities, has had a significant impact on local societies. Drug abuse is a serious problem among the youth, with over 30% being drug users. Migration from surrounding areas such as Bangladesh, Bihar, and Bengal has reduced the average size of land holdings to approximately one hectare.
• Lack of Social Infrastructure: There is an insufficient number of polytechnics and higher institutions for engineering, medical, and nursing studies in the region. Poor teachers' training contributes to low education standards.

Impacts of Infrastructure Projects in Northeast India

Political:

• Strategic Significance: The northeastern states serve as a crucial gateway to both China and Southeast Asian countries, making corridor projects vital for India's economic and strategic relationships with these nations.
• Advancement of India's Act East Policy: Improved coordination with Southeast Asian nations, fostering stronger regional ties.
• Regional Development: Corridor-based development projects have the potential to stimulate economic activities and regional growth, thereby contributing to overall economic progress through increased production and consumption.

Economic:

• Enhanced Connectivity: The region currently faces inadequate connections with the rest of India and neighboring Southeast Asian countries, but infrastructure projects can address this issue.
• Boost to Trade: Improved road networks due to these corridors would facilitate greater freight volume and contribute to higher gross domestic product growth in the states.
• Encouragement for Investment: Better infrastructure attracts both foreign direct investment (FDI) and local investments, leading to improved economic opportunities.

Recent Development Initiatives:

• North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS): Launched by the central government in December 2017, this scheme aims to bridge the infrastructure gaps in two sectors.
• The first focuses on physical infrastructure related to water supply, power, connectivity, and tourism promotion. The second emphasizes social sector projects in education and health. 
• Notably, this scheme is fully funded by the central government, eliminating the need for state government contributions as seen in the NLCPR (Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources) scheme.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Local Empowerment: By maximizing self-governance and promoting participatory development at the grassroots level, we can empower people and ensure inclusive development.
• Rural Development Opportunities: Focus on enhancing productivity in agriculture and allied activities such as animal husbandry, horticulture, floriculture, and fisheries. Additionally, creating more livelihood options through rural non-farm employment.
• Collaboration between Government and Private Sector: Harnessing the resources and expertise of both the government and the private sector is crucial for achieving the objectives outlined in the vision.

Conclusion

To achieve inclusive growth, it is essential to combine innovation, initiatives, ideas, and their effective implementation. Improved governance, elimination of oppressive laws, and empowering local communities to implement basic services are vital for inclusive development. It is crucial for all stakeholders to come together and develop a comprehensive and realistic plan for the overall development of the Northeast region.