The document discusses the potential of the North Eastern states of India and proposes solutions to major problems in the region. It notes that the states have high literacy rates but contribute little to India's GDP and rail network due to issues like poor connectivity, unemployment, underdeveloped agriculture, and untapped natural resources. The proposed solutions aim to boost connectivity through roads, railways and inland transport, promote trade through improved infrastructure and policies, increase employment through private sector growth and skill development, modernize agriculture through cooperative farming and irrigation, and utilize the region's natural resources like hydropower and minerals. Implementing the solutions would require public-private partnerships, policy support from central ministries, and community involvement to realize the North East's development potential

1. Sunrise States: REALIZING
THE POTENTIAL OF THE NORTH
EASTERN STATES
Team Name: Abhyeti
Team Members: Kushagra Sah, Rupali Dube, Swapnil Srivastava, Nidhi Singh,
Harshvardhan Dhanik
Team Affiliate: Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University
Solutions to the Major problems North East

2. THE NORTH EASTERN STATES
CURRENT FACTS

3. • Initially there were just three states that covered
the whole Northeast India, gradually they were
divided into the present eight states. These states
are very rich in culture as they represent various
ethnic and religious groups irrespective of the
small area and population.
• They are very rich in natural resources such as
forests, rainfall, natural gas, crude oil etc. which
are yet to be tapped for development and growth
of its people.
• These states share international borders with the
following countries : Bhutan, Bangladesh,
Myanmar, China and Nepal. This gives them an
important position in the Import and export
sector though their contribution is quite
insignificant.
• The current literacy rate of these states on an
average is approximately 79% where the national
average is approximately 74%.
• These states occupy 8% of the total geographical
area however have only 3.7% of the total rail
network and contribute only 2.3% towards India’s
GDP.
• Though this area accounts for 3.4% agriculture
land, it only gives 2.8% of total agricultural
production.
Capacity yet to be developed
Identified potential(MW)

4. MAJOR PROBLEMS
FACED

5. CONNECTIVITY

6. • To increase the scope of
transport the construction
of air strips and helipads
should be taken up.
• Harvesting the rivers for
inland transport will also
increase connectivity.
• Alternate routes should
be created and tress
measures to limit
landslides such as planting
tress should be taken up.
• Thus to facilitate the
expansion of railways
essential constructions
such as tunnels should be
created and more
railheads should be laid
down.
• Most of these states
are landlocked
therefore roads
provide the main
connectivity.
• Landslides are
common in these
areas which lead to
blockage of roads
leading to complete
cut-off from the
outer areas.
• Due to uneven
topography the rail
network is limited in
comparison to the
other parts of the
country.
• There will be an
overall increase in
tourism as these areas
will become
approachable to the
common people.
• Supply of essential
goods as well as
commercial
commodities will
increase.
• The labour generated
in various
construction areas will
provide employment
to the local people.
ImpactSolutionsCurrent Obstacles

7. TRADE

8. • Connectivity is a major
issue, which greatly
hampers the supply of
raw materials and
goods.
• Lack good foreign
policy to promote
trade relations
between neighbouring
countries.
• Absence of service or
private sector in the
region due to
insecurity created by
cultural conflicts.
• Industrial sector in the
region is
underdeveloped even
though there is a lot of
potential to be
harnessed.
• Connectivity should be
increased by ways
explained previously.
• A strict and beneficial
Foreign Trade Policy
should be formulated in
accordance to needs of
the people.
• Incentives and security
should be provided for
setting up of business
centres to the private
sector companies.
• Industries, both large
and small scale should be
promoted .
• A better connectivity
will undoubtedly
increase both domestic
and international trade.
• It would prevent
exploitation of the local
merchants at the hands
of the buyers and
generate revenue .
• Financial help could
be provided to the local
traders so that they
can prosper, it will
further increase the per
capita income of the
region .
Current Obstacles Solutions Impact

9. UNEMPLOYMENT

10. • Steps should be taken
to reduce the conflicts
between the various
cultural groups so that
the peace and security
of this area is
maintained and there
is no obstacle in
setting up of private
firms.
• Non farming rural
activities like Poultry,
sericulture, apiculture
should be encouraged.
• Skill development
workshop should be
conducted for growth
in human resource.
• There is a lack of private
sector setups in this area
due to various reasons
such as frequent
disturbances caused by
cultural conflicts, low
accessibility, this further
causes dearth of jobs
even though the literacy
rates are very high.
• Farming has been taken
up by most people even
though they are more
educated than the
average farming
population due to lack of
options.
• Skill , is however a major
factor which is lacking in
the local population.
ImpactSolutionsCurrent Obstacles
• The industrial setup will
generate employment
and the excess literate
population of the area
will get employed
• Poultry farming etc. will
encourage self
employment and will
eventually increase the
per capita income .
• The set up of large scale
industries will boost the
economic growth of the
area .
• Coming up of industries
and generation of
employment will
improve infrastructure
and standard of living.

11. AGRICULTURE

12. • The landholdings are
small and scattered,
this reduces the overall
produce.
• There is low level of
modern input use, lack
of farm mechanization,
low level of productivity
and poor infrastructure.
• The irrigation potential
of the area is under
utilized, ‘gross irrigated
area’ being only 13%
compared to the
national average of 41%
• The farm households
are greatly struggling
with debts from the
local money lenders.
• Landholdings should be
integrated and farmers
should be made aware of
their benefits.
• Awareness programmes
should be taken up,
farmers should be
provided with loans to
modernize their
equipments, storage
houses should be
constructed at various
places.
• Fruit production,
horticulture , floriculture,
cultivation of medicinal
and aromatic herbs ,
forest based products
should be promoted.
• Larger area under
cultivation of one crop
would not only increase
produce but also put less
pressure on land.
• Modern techniques
would help farmers to
over come the natural
obstacles such as the
uneven terrain.
•Loans at lesser interest
will free farmers from the
holds of the
moneylenders and
ensure their growth.
• These require more
water supply , as the area
is rich in rainfall the
produce will be high will
bring in high revenue due
to their demand and
cost.
Current Obstacles Solutions Impact

13. IDENTIFICATION OF
NATURAL RESOURCES

14. • There are a large
number of rivers which
have great potential
for hydroelectricity
production.
• The area is very rich in
mineral reserves such
as limestone, siltstone,
sandstone etc. which
should be adequately
utilized by both public
and private sectors.
• Industries which use
rubber as raw material
should be set up in
coordination with the
local farming
population.
• Requirement of
Electricity not
fulfilled by currently
running power
plants.
• Large reserves of
natural resources
example coal,
rubber, bamboo
etc. are unexplored
due to lack of
technology and
accessibility.
• This would make
these states self
sufficient in electricity
and also provide other
deficient states with
help.
• Setting up of mines
and industries would
not only help in the
overall growth of the
country but also
generate jobs at various
levels. The local
farmers will be
benefited as their
produce would be
efficiently utilized at
proper rates.
Current Obstacles Solutions Impact

15. IMPLEMENTATION OF SOLUTIONS
• The solutions proposed will be exploit the potential of these states to the maximum
level.
• There is a high need of public and private sector relationship for the development of
industrial complex hence generating employment
• Government of these states should promote private partnerships so that big private
industrial players starts their ventures by investing their capital.
• Public sector companies can be set up by funding of the central government.
• Public issue can be granted by the government so that capital generation for new
industries is much easier.
• Ministry of External Affairs should extend their help by formulation of special trade
policies in these regions.
• In setting up of industries huge amount of manpower is required, this will generate
employment to the excess of 14 million job seekers.
• Existing governments should encourage small scale industries such that self
employment is encouraged increasing the per capita income of the area.

16. • Cultural Conflicts in the region due to which people do not
concentrate upon developmental factors.
• Current trend of private investors towards the region,
therefore generating capital will be a task.
• The difficult topography of the region is one of the chief
concerns.
• Lack of sufficient physical infrastructure in the region.
• Lack of community involvement in policy process.
CHALLENGES
Mitigating Factors
• Government should encourage private participation in the
region by giving them tax rebates and easier industrial
policy.
• Ministry of External Affairs Should formulate special foreign
trade policies for this region making these states easier to
trade with their neighbouring countries.
• Awareness programme for the population of the state so
that they also contribute to the development of the region.
• Appropriate monitoring mechanisms such as special
committees should be set up to monitor the various
projects.
Better
Connectivity
Advancemen
t in
technology
Identification
of Resources
Increase in
Trade
Increased
Employment
Development
of the Region

17. References
• Human Development Report of North East States (Ministry of Development of North
Eastern Region. 2011)
• India’s North-East Diversifying Growth Opportunities (PWC 2013)
• Natural Disasters, Social Vulnerability and Conflict in North East India by Dr. Sandhya
Goswami.
• Human Development Reports on North East India: A Bird’s Eye View by Nayak, P. (n.d.)
• Attainment of Human Development: A Study of North East India. Delhi Business
Review, by SK Mahajan.
.
APPENDIX