Centre discusses NE planning

IMPHAL, Feb 10: To bring about all round development in the North East re- gion including Manipur, the Central Government has started discussion on setting up a regional planning body on the pattern of the Union Planning Commission.Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a highly placed source said that the initiative has been taken up by the Central Government to bring the North eastern region at par with other States of the country in term of development and reap the benefits of the Look East Policy of the Union Government to the fullest.The proposed Regional Planning body of the North Eastern States would be set up on the same pattern of the Union Planning Commission and the Government would extend all possible assistance with regard to research and other related works, the source said, adding that setting up of the regional planning body has been initiated subsequent to the concern shown by the President and the Prime Minister for paying special attention to development of the North East region.The proposed regional planning body would look after developmental needs of the North East region giving due attention o the specific charater of the region, the source added. It is said that a recommendation had also been submitted to the Centre for setting up the regional planning body during the meeting of the North Eastern Council held at Tripura last year. On the other hand, a Vision 2020 document has already been prepared to bring about the development of the North Eastern States at par with other States of the country by 2020.