India: Package for the North East
08 Mar, 2000 · 338
Zarin Ahmad analyses the implications of Rs. 10,271 crores development package for the North Eastern states
The North-East comprises seven states, called the 'seven sisters,' namely,
Arunachal Pradesh , Assam
, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Critically located and sharing a border with
Bangladesh
,
Myanamar , Bhutan
and
China
, this region has been a cauldron of ethnic unrest.
Sikkim
and completion of the Subansiri Lower Side Project in Arunachal. With an estimate of Rs. 5,800 crores, the lion's share of the Rs. 10,271 crores package goes to the power section. There is a provision for 330 housing schemes worked out in collaboration with the Housing and Urban Development Corporation, costing Rs. 1681 crores. There is also a focus on health sector. The Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences is to be upgraded to a National Institute at the cost of Rs.422 crores. Other areas are fencing of the Indo-Bangladesh border (Rs. 1335 crores), highways and roads (Rs.350 crores), rural infrastructure (Rs. 500 crores). There is provision for the establishment of
Central
University
in Mizoram (25 crores). The P. M. also stated that "we are committed to reviving border trade because it can provide a fillip to the economy of the North-East."
Sikkim
, which is to be included in the North Eastern Council, will be granted facilities for modernization of the police force.
Assam
, nor is there any mention of the fourth bridge over Brahamputra at Bogibeel. No time frame mentioned.
New Delhi
among the people of the area, particularly youth. The increased militarization of the region adds further strains on the strife-torn area. Even after the announcement of the package violence has increased. The talks between the government and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN): Isak-Muivah have been deadlocked. The Chief Minister S. C. Jamir has expressed his resentment at not being included in the talks; and the Naga problem did not election." The present cease-fire of the NSCN: Isak-Muivah have included in the talks; and the Naga-Hoho has called for an election boycott-stating "We want a solution to the Naga problem and not elections." The present cease-fire of the NSN (I-M) it is feared, is a cover for increasing its extortion activities in other states. However, the silver lining in the cloud is that the Centre understands the urgency of the situation, and the Prime Minister has promised to give "special" priority to the region. Apart from an economic package, however, winning back the confidence of the people is needed.
The rise of militancy in the region can be understood as having three aspects: protecting their livelihood, defending their identity, and propounding a subnationalism specific to their cultural and ethnic group. The grievances of these groups can be traced back to the colonial policies followed by the post-colonial process of national formation. The border minority groups found their voice subdued in the formation of the nation-state. The effort to control resources has been a basic issue in the region. The tribals were not included in the Plan process with the other states. This phenomena has been the core cause of unrest in the region. Being sensitively located it has become a focal point for trafficking of narcotics and small arms. The youth are increasingly taking to such trade and joining insurgent groups. Some of them are in contact with other insurgent groups across the border. In fact, at a rally in Shillong on January 21, the Prime Minister has gone on record saying that the ISI aiding and abetting militancy in the region.
The Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, announced a Rs. 10,271 crores development package for the North Eastern states on the eve of the country's 52nd Republic Day. The Programme envisages completion of on-going projects and introduction of new schemes in various sectors.
The package has several components which includes two hydroelectric projects in Manipur and
This is not the first time that a package has been offered to the region. Prime Minister H.D. Deve Godwa promised a Rs. 600 package, Mr. I. K. Gujral increased it to Rs. 700 crore and now Mr. Vajpayee has crossed the Rs. 10,000 crore mark. Most of the schemes will be from the plan outlay. However, the reimbursement of the security related expenditure, which will be more by 40 crore will come from the Non-Plan sector. As announced in the package, the security related reimbursement facility will now be extended to Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
The significance of the package lies in:
1. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Finance Minister, Defence Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
2. The Prime Minister has promised to make the North-East "at par if not ahead of other states."The P.M.O. would directly oversee implementation of these programmes to avoid diversification of funds.
3. The offer to provide aviation turbine fuel to small aircraft at international prices and classify the fuel as a 'declared good' would attract lower sales tax. Since air travel is costly and rail travel time-consuming, this step would be an effective transport strategy to make movement of people and goods cheaper in the region.
On the negative side, the package is lop-sided. Mizoram has been given a Rs. 180 crore 'peace-bonus' for being a "model-state which is on the right track to development". There is no new project for
The problems of the North-East cannot be wished away. It is true that the economic factor has been central but an economic package cannot solve the ethnic problem. There is need for a political solution. There is a definite sense of alienation from
POPULAR COMMENTARIES
