MC EXCLUSIVE 'Northeast integral to our national framework': Jayant Chaudhary highlights Centre’s expanding development footprint in NE

Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary and wife Charu Singh with BJP leader Subramanian Swamy - File Photo

Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary has said that the Northeast has now become central to India’s national development agenda, with every major policy or project incorporating a clear focus on the region. Chaudhary detailed a range of government initiatives, spanning skill development, connectivity, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, that are unlocking new opportunities across the northeastern states.

“In the last 11 years, the people of Northeast have recognised and they have celebrated one key feature of the governance and that is that, you know, Northeast is an integral part of our national framework. There is today no single policy program or project done by any ministry that does not have a core emphasis on the Northeast. And apart from the DONER ministry, even the PM office tracks that convergence on a regular manner,” he said in an interview with Moneycontrol.

Chaudhary pointed out that over 700 Union ministers have visited the Northeast in the last decade, reflecting the Centre’s unprecedented outreach. “Before this, you know, ministers would not be visiting Northeast. I recently went to Mizoram and people there were very, very happy. They came forward and they recognised that, yes, today ministers are coming, they're holding meetings, they're holding interactions, they're taking feedback and accordingly they're designing programs,” he added.

Citing a concrete example, Chaudhary said his ministry recently launched a pilot version of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) in Mizoram. “Based on the feedback that we had been getting from the Northeast, we actually implemented a pilot for the next one year… We have doubled the stipend made available only to young people with the domicile of Northeast. 26,000 young youth from Northeast are going to benefit and I think that is just one effort,” he said.

The skill development push is also linked to local strengths and traditional knowledge systems. “Whether it's the Mizo chili or it's the oranges or it's the haldi or ginger, a large number of agri-produce which is a part of the traditional ecosystem of the Northeast is being globally recognised. They have arranged the GI tag which is there to preserve the intellectual property, to maintain the integrity of that traditional practice,” he said, pointing to growing global demand and export potential.

Jayant also highlighted the strategic value of Northeast as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia. “Northeast is our linkage with Asian countries. A lot of this produce that is being generated is being pointed in that direction,” he noted, adding that maritime investments and inland waterways, 20 of which have now been recognised as national waterways, are key to unlocking trade potential.

He said the government’s push also includes strong backing for startups and grassroots innovation. “Sikkim, IIM and our Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship in Guwahati… they’ve set up incubation hubs for entrepreneurs, grassroots startup innovators from the Northeast region. That is seeing a lot of impact,” he added.

From rail, road, air and water connectivity to tourism, food processing, crafts, and elderly care, Chaudhary said sectors once viewed as niche are now being transformed into scalable economic opportunities. “Whether it is IT, whether it's hospitality, whether it's elderly care, health care, agriculture, food processing, crafts, tourism - all of these sectors, people from Northeast are coming forward and making a mark,” he said.