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IMPHAL — Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday proposed the establishment of an “Act East Regional Coordination Cell” under NITI Aayog in collaboration with the North Eastern Council, aimed at bringing northeastern states together to regularly synchronise border, logistics and security policies.
The proposal was made during an interaction between NITI Aayog and the chief ministers and chief secretaries of northeastern states held in New Delhi.
According to the chief minister, the proposed coordination mechanism would help strengthen regional cooperation as the northeastern states pursue projects linked to India's Act East Policy.
Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog Ashok Kumar Lahiri, chief ministers and chief secretaries of northeastern states, members of NITI Aayog, and officials of NITI Aayog and state governments attended the meeting.
During the interaction, Khemchand Singh urged NITI Aayog to play a greater role in Manipur's economic recovery, peace-building efforts and long-term development. He sought the institution's assistance in planning economic recovery measures, coordinating with various ministries and engaging international partners.
Highlighting connectivity as one of the sectors requiring sustained investment, the Chief Minister sought support for major infrastructure projects, including the Imphal Ring Road Project, Elevated Highway in Imphal and the Imphal-Moreh Railway Project.
He stated that while the Act East Policy envisions Manipur as India's principal land-based gateway to Southeast Asia, implementation of related projects frequently encounters delays due to cross-border political instability and other challenges, resulting in what he described as a persistent implementation gap.
The chief minister also pointed to internal security challenges and civil friction, which he said discourage private investment and increase construction and maintenance costs in the state.
To address these challenges, he suggested that NITI Aayog assist in formulating a Terrain-Weighted Cost Index Matrix and consider providing northeastern states with a 20-30% fiscal premium in central fund allocations to offset geographical constraints.
Khemchand Singh further stated that Manipur remains heavily dependent on central grants, with the state's own tax revenue accounting for only about 10% of its revenue receipts, limiting its ability to independently finance development initiatives.
The chief minister also proposed the modernisation of medical colleges in the state and said Manipur has the potential to attract patients from Southeast Asia, particularly Myanmar.
He suggested that NITI Aayog support the development of a Super-Specialty Tertiary Care Expansion Framework in Manipur to help position the state as a medical tourism hub serving patients from the region.