Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The statesman who conceptualized a separate Ministry for Northeast

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

As the nation partakes in the centenary birthday celebrations of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
one cannot but recall his unparalleled commitment to work for the interest of the northeastern region.

Vajpayee, was perhaps the first Prime Minister who realised the significance of the northeastern region and took several initiatives for the progress of the region, beginning with setting up a separate Ministry to ensure equitable development of the region.

A separate ministry for Northeast

From conceiving the idea of a separate ministry for this purpose and initially set up a department for the development of the northeastern region, initiatives under Vajpayee extended to setting up a non-lapsable pool of funds for the NER. Additionally, Sikkim was included as a member of North Eastern Council, and Prime Minister’s Gram Sarak Yojna was expanded to benefit the region.

The DONEAR ministry, which deals with matters related to planning, execution and monitoring of development schemes and projects in the region, was established by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The then NDA government had announced plans to accelerate the pace of development in the region. The Ministry for the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNEAR) was constituted in 2001 and converted into a full-fledged ministry in 2004.

Centre's ever-growing push

In February this year, speaking on the sidelines of North East Investors Summit in Kolkata, the then Union minister B L Verma on said the central government has invested Rs 5 lakh crore in the North East since 2014, while Rs 11 lakh crore more will be pumped into the region for its all-round development.

Highlighting the development of the region since 2014, Verma said, "We have seen massive infrastructural growth, with Rs 1 lakh crore currently being invested in road projects alone. The number of airports has jumped from 9 to 17, significantly improving accessibility." Underlining the focus on rail connectivity, the minister emphasized the significance of the newly inaugurated route between Akhaura in Bangladesh and Agartala in Tripura.

Echoing similar sentiments, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the current DoNER minister, said his role would primarily be that of a facilitator, ensuring that aspirations of the states in the region are realised. He emphasised the importance of showcasing the North Eastern region's rich cultural heritage, traditions, and natural resources to the world.

Increased budgetary outlay

Underlining the Centre's commitment towards the region, Scindia said the budgetary outlay for the region has increased from Rs 24,000 crore to almost Rs 84,000 crore in the last decade, highlighting developments in infrastructure such as roads, railways, and airports, which have expanded from nine to seventeen.