UPSC Prelims 2024 Question:

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the council comprises which of the following members?

1. Governor of the Constituent State
2. Chief Minister of the Constituent State
3. Three members to be nominated by the President of India
4. The Home Minister of India
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• The North Eastern Council (NEC) came into being by an Act of Parliament, the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 to act as an advisory body in respect of socio-economic development and balanced development of the North Eastern Areas consisting of the present States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The NEC started functioning in the year 1972.
  
  
• The North Eastern Council (NEC) is not a constitutional body, but a statutory organization established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971, as amended in 2002. Initially, NEC was an Advisory Body for North Eastern Region (NER). Now NEC is mandated to function as a Regional Planning Body for the North Eastern Region. The Council comprises Governors and Chief Ministers of constituent States and three members nominated by the President. So, points 1, 2 and 3 are correct.
  
  
• While formulating the regional plans for the North Eastern Region, it is mandated to give priority to schemes and projects, benefitting two or more States, provided that in case of Sikkim, the Council shall formulate specific projects and schemes for that State including the review of implementation of such project and schemes.
  
  
• The Union Home Minister is ex-Officio Chairman and the Minister DoNER is the ex-Officio Vice-Chairman of the NEC. So, point 4 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | Federalism