DoNER minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlights bamboo clusters, logistics reforms, innovation initiatives and investment push to boost Northeast development.
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KOHIMA — Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M Scindia has said that traditional bamboo artisan clusters in the Northeast are being strengthened by integrating over 4,000 artisans into formal markets, upgrading 15 Common Facility Centres and establishing procurement units in Karbi Anglong in Assam and Mokokchung in Nagaland to promote value-added bamboo engineered products.
In his December 2025 message, the minister stated that the DoNER ministry has worked with a singular focus to ensure that development in the Northeast is inclusive and rooted in the region’s unique strengths.
Scindia recalled that pursuant to the directives of the 71st North Eastern Council Plenary held in Shillong in January 2024, an inter-ministerial committee was constituted to provide comprehensive recommendations for improving logistics efficiency and integrating the region with the national logistics grid.
He said that encouraging progress has been made, with Sikkim notifying its State Logistics Policy and similar policies under process in Nagaland and Meghalaya.
He further stated that State Logistics Master Plans have been initiated in Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Nagaland, with remaining states progressing steadily, adding that these reforms will reduce costs, improve market access and enhance competitiveness for local producers and entrepreneurs.
Highlighting developments in science and technology, the minister said the North East Science and Technology Cluster (NEST), established at IIT Guwahati with an investment of INR 222.98 crore and inaugurated on November 3, 2025, represents a major step forward.
He said that the cluster will foster research, innovation and skill development through hubs focused on grassroots innovation, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, bamboo-based technologies and biodegradable materials.
He also said that the ministry is focusing on cluster-based growth to strengthen traditional livelihoods, noting that the Northeast accounts for nearly 96% of India’s agarwood production and that sustained efforts have led to a six-fold increase in the country’s annual export quota. Proposals for integrated agarwood clusters in Golaghat in Assam and Kadamtala in Tripura are under active consideration, he added.
The minister further said the ministry is spearheading Geographical Indication (GI) tagging across agri-horticulture, handloom and handicraft sectors, with 150 distinctive products from the Northeast identified for GI registration over the next two years.
Scindia also referred to the North East Investors Summit held in New Delhi in May 2025, which witnessed participation from leading corporate houses, foreign investors and public sector undertakings, generating investment interest worth INR 24.48 lakh crore.