Brainstorming session for development of NE region held in Delhi

Dimapur, July 27 (EMN):  The chief resident commissioner of Nagaland Dr. DK Bhalla on July 27 called for a brainstorming and intellectual lunch session with all the resident commissioners of Northeast states of India at Nagaland house in New Delhi. The session was called to discuss about different policies and options for the development of Northeast. The session was presided by Bhalla, which was attended by various resident commissioners. According to a press release from the information and public relations, during the session the members present discussed about ways to make the North Eastern states independent of central funding. Stressing that most of the North Eastern states are deficient in generating monetary resources it surfaced during the discussion that there could be a possibility in which all corporate houses may be mandated to spend their CSR funds for developmental activities in NE which will allow corporate sector to explore various avenues of development and nation building in North Eastern states. Mentioning that North Eastern states are known for their flora and fauna, and bio diversity,  the release stated that a discussion was carried out in which these can be used for revenue generation by developing tourism activities in a sustainable way without disturbing ecosystem of the area. Tourism can be of various varieties like medical tourism, golf tourism, anthropological tourism, ecological tours, and adventure tourism among others. 'It was further discussed that 15th finance commission should be requested to keep in view that NE states act as natural sink for the rest of nation and hence NER should be given even higher devolution of funds to keep it more green'. On the job creation front the issue that was raised by various Resident Commissioners was for bringing various mega projects to the region and various strategies to fund small projects on farming sector and horticulture. Separate defined economic entities could be created for the region like NE bank, special loan assistance agencies, and a dedicated insurance agency only for NE horticulture and agro based food processing industries offer a huge scope for development in NER. The press note mentioned that all the resident commissioners welcomed the initiative. The meeting concluded with the suggestion that an aide memoir should be developed by all resident commissioners to be presented to the Prime Minister for expediting the NE agenda.