The Northeastern region, once viewed as India’s remote frontier, is fast emerging as a powerhouse of growth and innovation under the Modi government, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Scindia lauded the remarkable strides made across the eight Northeastern states in infrastructure, investment, governance and youth participation over the past year. He credited the transformation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of integrating the region more closely with the national growth story.
“The Northeast today represents the spirit of a new India-empowered, connected and future-ready. Guided by the Prime Minister's vision, the region has transformed from a frontier into a front-runner, symbolising confidence and competitiveness,” Scindia said.
He noted that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has made measurable progress through its three guiding principles of reform, reach and results. “The decadal GDP growth of the Northeastern states has been higher than the national average,” he added, stressing that the region’s trajectory stands as evidence of policy effectiveness.
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Highlighting the demographic and educational strengths of the region, Scindia said the Northeast’s high literacy rate and youthful population—70 per cent under the age of 28, position it as India’s true growth engine.
Scindia underscored that the ministry achieved its highest-ever expenditure of ₹3,447.71 crore in 2024–25, a 74.4 per cent rise from the previous year and over 200 per cent growth in three years. He said the achievement reflects a renewed emphasis on fiscal discipline, digital oversight, and timely execution.
He explained that mechanisms such as weekly performance reviews, four-stage fund releases, and digital project tracking via the Poorvottar Vikas Setu portal have ensured greater accountability. The result, he noted, is that 97 per cent of projects have been inspected and 91 per cent are now operational.
“This performance reflects MDoNER's focus on fiscal discipline, digital monitoring and timely delivery,” Scindia said, adding that the ministry’s approach has helped convert policy intent into tangible outcomes.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to the region’s long-term prosperity, Scindia said the transformation underway was not merely administrative, but deeply structural, redefining how the Northeast engages with the rest of the country.
“The region’s energy, literacy and aspiration are combining to make it the growth engine of India in the truest sense,” he concluded.
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