Identifying constraints and streamlining resources for the development of the northeastern region would be the focus when policy makers, government officials and experts assemble for the first meeting of the recently established NITI Forum for North East in Agartala on Tuesday.
Constituted in February this year, the forum is expected to work for sustainable economic development of the northeastern region, Jitendra Singh, Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), said.
Formal launch of the forum on Tuesday is expected to be attended by most of the chief ministers of the northeastern states. The form, Singh said, will have representation from all northeastern states.
Apart from chief secretaries of these states and secretaries of relevant central ministries and departments, directors of reputed institutions such as IITs and IIMs and experts will be members of the forum.
The forum will work closely with DoNER and North Eastern Council and its secretariat will be located at the DoNER Ministry, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said.
According to Rajiv Kumar, the Agartala meeting would deliberate on issues relating to improving agriculture, particularly organic farming and horticulture, road infrastructure, hydropower and tourism in the North East.