Question: How many states are members of North East Council?
(a) 7
(b) 8
(c) 9
(d) 5
Ans: (b)
Related Fact :
- 66th Plenary of North Eastern Council (NEC) was organized in New Delhi on May 29, 2017. The plenary was chaired by NEC chairman Dr. Jitendra Singh.
- Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted some of the major achievements of the NEC in the field of:
- Transport and Communication Sector: 10,500 kms of roads including inter-state and roads of economic importance have been constructed. Three (3) projects under the scheme (Doimukh-Harmuti; Tura-Mankachar & Wokha-Merapani,-Golaghat) for 85 kms have been already awarded to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) for implementation at an estimated cost of Rs 213.97 crore. 14 projects have been identified to be taken up during 2017-18.
- Air connectivity in the region: NEC has supported Airports Authority of India (AAI) for upgradation of infrastructure in 12 operational airports. Construction of Tezu airport in Arunachal Pradesh is supported by NEC and is likely to be operational within the current financial year.
- Power Sector: During 2016-17, NEC has funded construction of 198 circuit km long transmission lines of 165 MVA capacity in the NER and eleven (11) power sector projects (Manipur-2; Meghalaya-1; Mizoram-1; Nagaland-2; Sikkim-4; Tripura-1) were completed and commissioned.
- Agriculture, Irrigation and Flood Control: NEC has plans to provide assistance to Aggregator Agencies for Agri-Horti Produce to help Farmers in the North East Region by extending finance to them as grants-in-aid.
- Health Sector: NEC is providing support for Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute in Guwahati, which is in the process of being taken over by the Department of Atomic Energy, through which this hospital would be developed on the model of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, as a Premier Post Graduate level institute for cancer treatment in the country.
- Science & Technology: Special thrust has been given towards establishment of North Eastern Spatial Data Repository (NESDR) by the North East Space Application Centre (NESAC) for facilitating communication linkage, data cataloguing between regional node of NESAC and State nodes of different States.
- Dr. Singh also informed that during the year 2016-17, NEC was allotted total of Rs. 1118.79 crore. Depending on the legitimate demand of the North Eastern States based on the Regional Plans approved by the Council, NEC would strive to allocate more liberal grant of resources in the coming years.
- It is notable that the North Eastern Council is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the North Eastern Region which consists of the eight States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The North Eastern Council was constituted in 1971 by an Act of Parliament.
Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=163232
http://necouncil.gov.in/index1.asp?linkid=53