North Eastern Council (NEC) - Formation, Member States, Functions

In the year 1971, the North Eastern Council was constituted by the Act of the Parliament. It is the nodal agency for the social and economic development of the North Eastern Region in India consisting of the 8 States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland and Tripura. The establishment of the NE Council marked the beginning of a new era of planned and concerted efforts for the speedy development of that Region. The NEC is an important topic in the polity section of the UPSC syllabus. In this article,  you can read about the NEC, its formation, functions and membership for the IAS Exam.

Latest Context:

• January 2021: Synthetic Athletic Track and Field and the Synthetic Football Ground has been inaugurated at North Eastern University. Also, development of sports has been taken as a subject of priority by the northeast council.

North Eastern Council (NEC) – Formation

1. The NEC came into existence by a Parliamentary Act called the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 to act as an advisory body for socio-economic and balanced development of the North-Eastern Areas.
2. The Council started its functioning in 1972.
3. NEC members: the Governors and the Chief Ministers of the 8 states including Sikkim, Chairman and 3 members who are nominated by the country’s President.

NEC, over the last 35 years, has been much influential in creating new economic endeavours in the northeast part of India. Its activities are aimed at removing the major hurdles that stood in the way of the development of that region and has brought in a new ray of hope in this backward area that is filled with potential.

Read about the related articles:

North Eastern Council – Functions

1. To discuss any matter in which some or all of the States represented in the Council have a common interest and advise the Central Government and the Governments of the States concerned as to the action to be taken on any such matter, particularly with regard to –

• any matter of common interest in the field of economic and social planning;
• any matter concerning inter-State Transport and Communications;
• any matter relating to Power or Flood-control projects of common interest.

2. To formulate and forward proposals for securing the balanced development of the North-Eastern Areas particularly with regard to –

• a unified and coordinated Regional Plan, which will be in addition to the State Plan, in regard to matters of common importance to that area;
• prioritizing the projects and schemes included in the Regional Plan and recommend stages in which the Regional Plan may be implemented; and
• regarding the location of the projects and schemes included in the Regional Plan to the Central

North Eastern Council – UPSC Notes: Download PDF Here

The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2023.

Related Links