ITANAGAR, Jul 9:  Ruing that the North Eastern Council (NEC) has become just a funding agency of late, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has opined that it must reinvent itself as a regional think-tank with a greater focus on key areas.

Khandu conveyed his feelings while interacting with NEC Secretary K Moses Chalai who called on him this morning. “The agency needs to reshape and redefine its role in the emerging world with respect to the unique and different needs of each northeast state. We have been having deliberations after deliberations but nothing concrete is coming out from the NEC. I believe it has a bigger role to play,” the CM  observed, stressing that the NEC can be to the northeast states what the NITI Ayog is for the country – a one-point solution centre. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have the political will to transform the Northeast. It’s up to you (NEC) to come out with a roadmap,” he said.

While stating his expectation that an empowered NEC should  provide mentorship for planning and oversight in all priority sectors, Khandu urged the Council to play the role of an institutional anchor for the constituent states and help in drawing a blueprint of comprehensive development, reiterating that 'funding' should not be its only agenda. “We are lucky to have a Secretary who hails from the region. You must take personal interest and empower the NEC as an agency to reckon with for the development of the Northeast,” the CM urged and encouraged him  to suggest the way forward to all Chief Ministers of the region who can collectively work on it and impress upon the Central government.

Explaining the distinct features of diversity in demography and geography of Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu reminded the Secretary of the complete dependence of the state on Central grants and aids. Due to a complete denial of any international funding, Central government agencies including the NEC need to give special preference to the state, he asserted. When informed that 2022 is going  to be the Golden Jubilee year of the NEC, Khandu suggested coming out with a concrete plan on the new role of the Council that can be announced during the Golden Jubilee plenary session.

Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar was also present during the interaction. CMO