In his welcome address Dr. P.D. Shenoy highlighted that the purposes of setting up the Department was to give a strong thrust to the development of the North Eastern Region. Administratively, this would be a lean and thin department, created by transfer of functions and personnel from Home Ministry, Planning Commission and Expenditure Reforms Commission, without creation of any new posts. The subjects of North Eastern Council and the Non-Lapsable Pool of Resources with annual budget of about Rs.950 crores would be directly looked after by this Department. In addition, it would be closely monitoring the annual flow of central funds to the North-Eastern States, which was in the region of Rs.12,000 crores per annum.

        In his inaugural address, Shri Arunh Shourie called for a fresh outlook and approach to resolve long standing issues relating to the Development of the North East. He felt that instead of focussing only on the problems, it is necessary to focus more on the solutions. The Department would aim to assist the North-East States in expediting the matters relating to development according to their priorities and not be prescriptive in its approach. The effort would be to ensure that nothing was kept pending for action within the Department.

        At the same time the Department would assist in expediting decisions of the North East in various Union Ministries. While help could be extended in securing financing of critical projects, the stress would have to be on no cost solutions, better ways of implementation and greater involvement of the private sector. A push would also be given to secure more external assistance for the NE States, such that each of the states in the region is tied up with an external agency soon. A monthly meeting of Resident Commissioners would be organized by the Department ot review progress on these issues.

        Shri Shourie also outlined his approach of zero tolerance for dishonest practices in the sanction and implementation of development works. The department would work closely with the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and C&AG OF India to deter errors and malpractices.

        In closing, the Minister looked forward to working closely with the people of the region and expressed the expectation that he would receive the cooperation of all the North Eastern States as well as concerned Union Ministries in working together towards accelerating the development of the North East.