1. RAHUL DAS SWAGAT PATRA DEEPAK KUMAR KUMAR GOURAV SHASHANK JHA
Sunrise States: Realizing the growth potential of
North-East

2. Scope of the issue
 The north east states occupy 8% of the total geographical area and
account for 4% of the total population.
 The region is strategically very important as it shares borders with
china , Bhutan , Myanmar and Bangladesh.
 As per 2001 Census per capita income-6625 INR as opposed to rest of
India average-10254 INR
 34.28% of population is below poverty line as compared to the national
average-26.1%.
Citizens for accountable governance
Map of NORTH EAST states

3. ++
CAUSES
 Non inclusive growth story of the country
• Inadequate attention paid to the NE states
• Social and cultural barriers
• Economic disparity
 Inability to tap the valuable natural resources
of the region
• Failure to make the best possible use of the
vast potential
for horticulture , forest based products etc.
• Insubstantial development of the
hydroelectricity sector
 Connectivity issues
• Development of railways difficult due to hilly terrain
• Deficient road infrastructure
• Lack of well connected airports
• Few river ports in major rivers
 Lack of skill development
• No state-of-the-art vocational training institutes
• People from NE states lag behind in job oriented skills
 Insurgency and terrorist activities
• Affects peace and harmony
• Overall development is hampered
 No leverage for the economy
• No attractive investment incentives to investors
• Inadequate impetus to border trade.
Road density, 2008
State-wise density of
railways routes in
north eastern region
of India
Citizens for accountable governance
States Road density /
1000sq Km
Road density
/1000
population
Arunachal 196.96 13.77
Assam 2936.51 7.83
Manipur 739.11 6.98
Meghalaya 438.67 3.89
Mizoram 292.11 6.35
Nagaland 1345.32 10.27
Sikkim 263.95 3.17
Tripura 3026.23 9.09
India 965.73 2.77
1.26
2283.71
1.35 0 1.5 12.85 0 151.4
2452.07
AR AS MN ML MZ NL SK TR NER
Rail routes in Km
Against India 64014.88 Km

4. NORTH EAST REGION
General awareness
among people of
mainland India
• Change the
existing
notions about
NE
• Make people
aware about
issues
concerning NE
Harnessing the
existing talent pool
in the region
• Higher and
technical
education, skill
impartment
and vocational
training
• Tapping into
innate knack of
music among
the people of
NE
• Providing
modern sports
training and
facilities
Changing the
economic scenario
• Foreign trade
policies which
are friendly
and liberal
• Boosting the
trade of
natural
resources and
associated
products
Promotion of eco-
tourism
• Protection of
biodiversity
• Make NE a
global
destination for
tourists
• Economic gain
as well as
overall
development
Counter insurgency
operations
• Three layered
approach
• Dialogue,
compromise
,surrender
• Rehabilitation,
upliftment,
development
• Use of force if
last resort
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5. General awareness among people of mainland India
 Key aspects:
• People from mainland India have little or no idea about North east. Awareness
to be instilled at the grass root level.
• Chapters about north east to figure prominently in the CBSE curriculum. This
will ensure that the youth will have better idea about the north east which is
very much an integral part of our country.
• All govt. universities to collaborate with each other to facilitate for student
exchange programmes. This will increase the understanding and acceptance of
the youth towards an array of different cultural and community perspectives.
• Mind-set of people can be changed with proper awareness programmes.
• Central govt.(especially Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of
Tribal Affairs, Ministry of DONER) to spread awareness about this haven of
beauty in the country. Word can be put forward even in global conferences.
• With this the people of the North East will feel a sense of belonging with the
rest of India.
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6. Harnessing the existing talent pool in the region
Higher and technical
education, skill impartment
and vocational training
Providing modern sports
training and facilities
Tapping into innate knack of
music among the people of
NE
• High literacy rates coupled
with the huge mass of English
speaking pool can be used.
• A major pre-requisite for
private sector is English
speaking capacity. With
proper training NE can be
developed into a leading IT
hub.
• Job oriented skill
development centers to be
set up all over the states.
State govt. responsible for
running these centers.
Nominal fees to be taken.
• Setting up of centers of
excellence through both
private and govt. initiatives
to improve education.
• People from NE have a
remarkable knack of music.
This talent can be utilize with
proper training and exposure.
• State run music schools with
residential facilities to be set
up. Target to develop all
round musical abilities,
provide good recording
facilities and technological
skills.
• State sponsored concerts and
shows to be held regularly to
give a platform to budding
artistes. Leading composers
and bands to be brought to
the state to provide
opportunities to showcase
their talent outside.
• The interest and capacity for
sports in NE is noteworthy.
Training facilities with hostels
to be provided in every
states. Nominal fees to be
taken.
• certified coaches and good
trainers to be hired to
improve skill, fitness and
technique.
• Camps and sports meet to be
conducted regularly(on a
rotational basis) in each
states. Performing
sportspersons to be selected
and propelled to the national
circuit.
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7. Changing the economic scenario
Foreign trade policies which are
friendly and liberal
Boosting the trade of natural
resources and associated products
• Foreign trade can be the most largest
contributor to the economy of the North east
owing to the borders it shares with many
countries.
• Trading points to be set up at each border
district. Export of locally made products at
highly subsidized rates , thereby giving boost to
local economy.
• Connectivity to be increased so that import and
export mechanism can function smoothly
without any kinks. Inland river ports to be set
up in rivers common to both India and the
neighboring countries . Roads and railways(if
possible) to be revamped so that finished
product can be easily taken to the border
trading points.
• Upcoming industrial units to be given
exemption from taxes for an initial period of 5
years. This will create job opportunities as well.
• State-wise mapping of resources to be done.
Boost to be given to different sectors after
identification.
• Horticulture, sericulture, pisciculture, bamboo
and rubber plantations to figure prominently.
Efficient connectivity so that products can be
taken directly to export centers as well as to
others parts of the country.
• Mineral resources(oil, natural gas, limestone,
coal etc.) to be identified and extraction to be
done in accordance with environmental
regulations. Both center and state governments
must come together in this regard.
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8. • There is vast potential for this sector in the NE region. Hydroelectric power
generation projects to be started on a massive footing. Even small rivers to
come under this as small projects can make a cluster of villages self-
sustaining as far as power is concerned.
• NEEPCO and state electricity boards to identify all possible avenues for
hydro electric projects.
• Initially this endeavor will be expensive but in the long run the benefits
will be enormous.
Scope of hydroelectric power generation
2394
50328
4286 6249
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
Identified potential(MW)
86.55% 90.33%
39.15%
90.16%
0.00%
20.00%
40.00%
60.00%
80.00%
100.00%
Capacity yet to be developed
Citizens for accountable governance

9.  The bio-diversity potential of the region
coupled with the exotic locales in the NE region
is very much sufficient to make NE global
destination.
 The approach should be three pronged:
• Identify possible tourist hotspots and improve
connectivity.
• Open state run hotels, restaurants, transport
services to these locations. job prospects thus
created on a large scale. Hiring of guides and
security guards in the tourist spots also a
source of employment.
• Advertise about these locations in the national
as well as international circuit. Brand
ambassadors to be taken onboard. This should
be a joint effort of the center and the
respective states.
Promotion of eco-tourism Counter insurgency operations
 State govt. to identify possible threats with
regard to active insurgent groups.
 The central govt. then reviews the threats in
association with the state governments.
 Mediators(eminent journalists, authors, social
workers etc. of the region) are appointed to
bring about peace talks. Dialogue and
compromise to be the main agenda leading to
surrender and laying of arms.
 Separate organisation to be set up at the state
level for the rehabilitation of the surrendered
militants. Vocational training and development
initiatives to be taken particularly aimed at
bringing them back into mainstream society.
 If sum insurgent group remain stiff and resort
to violence, then armed forces to be deployed
in order to suppress them.
Citizens for accountable governance

10. SCALABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY SURVEILLANCE
 Key aspects:
• Parent body: Eminent personalities,
retired IAS, IPS etc. with clean background
and equally good credentials.
• Awareness and promotion of tourism:
Keep info about inflow of tourist and take
regular feedback.
• HR: Monitor quality of skill development
and vocational training.
• Foreign trade: Take strong action against
smuggling and other such activities.
Closely monitor border trading points.
• Natural resources: Ensure harnessing and
development of resources is done within
norms.
• Counter insurgency: Keep tabs about the
progress of dialogue with different
insurgent groups and ensure smooth
peace talks.
 Key aspects:
• Training & skill development camps to be
conducted.
• Frequent monitoring of the level of skill
development.
• More and more job prospects created.
• Boost to economy due to tourism.
• Liberal foreign trade policies to be
adopted.
• Villages become self-sustaining as
collectivity and power issues will be
sorted out.
• Standard of living will increase.
• Insurgency and terrorist activities will
come to a standstill as youth will have
employment as well as avenues to hone
their skills.
Citizens for accountable governance

11. • Social -
On the social perspective, bringing people from
diverse communities together and working towards
their development is itself a big challenge.
• Economic
Huge financial support required to boost the
demoralizing state of economy in the region0.
• Political
Political parties from different states will have
different agendas for developing their respective states.
Foreign policies with neighbouring countries also a
factor.
• Legal
Revamping of the CBSE curriculum because of
implementation of NE based chapters may face legal
opposition.
• Technical -
Providing sustainable technology & equipments for
harnessing the natural resources.
• Environmental -
Extraction and development of natural
resources may lead to degradation of the
environment.
• Inclusive development without leaving any
aspect uncovered. Overall development
much better as all states will progress at the
same rate.
• The DONER Ministry should bring different
parties under their ambit and work
towards comprehensive development in
each state.
• The Ministry Of HRD should make these
changes as soon as possible overcoming
the legal challenges which may arise.
• Exclusive Research centers for low cost,
durable & energy efficient equipments.
• One time investment from the govt. will
bear rich dividends in the future. Looking
for private avenues in some sectors(such
as higher education).
CHALLENGES MITIGATION FACTORS
SOCIALECO
P
O
L
TECHLEGAL
KEY PROBLEMS & THEIR EXTENUATION
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• The Ministry Of Environment in
collaboration with the state govt. should
send teams and strictly monitor the
condition of the environment and the
consequences if certain projects are given
the go ahead
ENV

12. APPENDIX
References:
• India’s North-East Diversifying Growth Opportunities (PWC 2013)
• www.mapsofworld.com
• Eastern Panorama – North East India's 1st News Magazine
• Books on North East India
• Photographs from the Seven Sister States of North East India