[Answered] The integration of Northeast India into mainstream Indian life has been on the national agenda from the very start of India’s journey as an independent nation. Discuss the measures taken for the integration of the North-East. Also, suggest what more can be done in this regard.

India’s Northeast region comprises the seven sister states of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Manipur, and Sikkim.  The region is called as “new growth engine of India”. It is endowed with extraordinary natural wealth, a strategic advantage as the gateway to Southeast Asia and unrivalled economic potential.

Measures taken for the integration of the North-East:

• Sixth Schedule: for undivided Assam’s tribal belt. It mandated the formation of Autonomous District Councils in which, the Northeast’s tribals were encouraged to live by their own geniuses and local customs.
• State Reorganization: Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya were upgraded to States, while Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram were made UTs to meet the aspirations of the local people and tribals in the North-eastern region.
• North Eastern Council (NEC): An advisory body comprising Governors, later it became an infrastructure planning body. Sikkim was included and the composition expanded to include Chief Ministers.
• Department of North-East Region (DoNER): Created by the Union Government in 2001, and in 2004 it was upgraded to a full-fledged Ministry.
• Look East Policy: with the stated objective of linking the Northeast with the vibrant economies of South East Asia.
• A judicial commission was constituted in 2004 to recommend a way to repeal or else “humanise” AFSPA.

What more can be done?

• New political dynamics in the north-eastern states do not reflect the grass-root sentiments, so there is need of comprehensive reforms in this regard. E.g., Assam strongly opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
• Air links to the North-eastern states should be a top priority.
• A joint agri task forceshould be formed which would ensure speedy resolution and implementation of various agriculture and allied sector schemes.
• The union and state government should work with the spirit of cooperative federalism. There should be collective responsibility for the development of the region.
• The government should commit itself to promote substantive democracy by protecting the rule of law and participatory rights in policymaking and implementation.
• There is need to take initiatives to promote sports, horticultural products, startupsand tourism.

Northeast region’s proximity to international markets to both South-Western China and South-East Asia, makes this region a potentially important base for foreign and domestic investors. So, this is imperative to take necessary steps to integrate into mainstream Indian life.