A Performance Revi ew Committee Meeting of the North East States to evaluate the progress of various rural development schemes in the Northeastern region of the country was held today at Aijal Club, Aizawl. The Union Rural Development Secretary Mr S Vijay Kumar IAS presided over the meeting.

The Union Secretary for Rural Development Mr S Vijay Kumar emphasized the importance of programmes and schemes funded by the centre in reaching out to all corners of the country and ensure that every citizen is covered to achieve inclusive growth. Given the difficulties faced by North East States due to poor connectivity, communication, transportation, difficult terrain and remoteness, he acknowledged the problems faced by the states in implementing several Rural Development schemes. In order to enhance the pace of development in NE States, the Secretary expressed that innovative ideas have to be implemented and capacity building should be intensified. He said that the government is open to suggestions to address the special needs faced by the NE states and that the PRC meeting is a forum to discuss such problems faced by them. He added that the government is a service provider, but it requires peoples’ participation and support to deliver the desired progress.

Mr K Riachho IAS, Secretary, Rural Development, Mizoram, also spoke on the occassion welcoming the delegates from the Ministry of Rural Development and representatives from 6 North Eastern states. He said that despite inherent difficulties faced by the state due to poor connectivity, communication and difficult terrain, there are several unique factors enjoyed by Mizoram in implementing rural development schemes such as a congenial atmosphere of peace vital for progress, high percentage of literacy which helps in spreading awareness, vibrant and active participation from NGO’s and a close knit society with no caste or gender bias.

The achievements and progress of various Rural Development schemes being implemented in the Northeastern region were discussed at length and the progress of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Socio Economic Census, Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) and National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) in the region were presented during the meeting.

Union Secretary, Additional Secretary, Special Secretary, Joint Secretary and 18 other officials from the Ministry of Rural Development and delegates from Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh attended the PRC meeting.