In exercise of the powers conferred by sub section 2 and 4 of section 3 of the North Eastern Council Act

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the North Eastern Council Act, 1971, as outlined in Notification S.O. 3457(E) published in the Gazette of India on August 24, 2021. The amendment modifies the composition of the North Eastern Council by altering the ex-officio membership related to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). Specifically, it designates the Minister of DoNER as the ex-officio Vice-Chairman and the Minister of State of DoNER as an ex-officio Member. The key finding is that the amendment aims to streamline leadership and potentially enhance the efficiency of the North Eastern Council by formally incorporating both the Minister and Minister of State of DoNER into its structure. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide a detailed analysis of the amendment to the North Eastern Council Act, 1971, as documented in the official notification S.O. 3457(E) dated August 24, 2021. This analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy Amended:** North Eastern Council Act, 1971. The amendment partially modifies notification S.O. 3343(E) dated July 7, 2018. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective of the Act, as inferred from the amendment text, is to foster development and cooperation within the North Eastern Region through the North Eastern Council. The amendment indicates a focus on effective governance and representation within the Council. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment modifies the existing membership structure of the North Eastern Council. The likely rationale for this specific amendment is to clarify and formalize the roles of the Minister and Minister of State within the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region within the Council's framework. It suggests a need to ensure proper leadership and representation from DoNER in the Council's activities. This likely addresses a previous ambiguity or perceived inadequacy in the Council's leadership structure as it relates to DoNER. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section details the changes introduced by the amendment: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** Items 'b' and 'c' within notification S.O. 3343(E) dated July 7, 2018, are being substituted. This likely refers to specific roles or members previously designated within those items. * **New Rule/Provision:** * Item 'b' now designates the Minister, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, as an ex-officio Member and the Vice-Chairman. * Item 'c' now designates the Minister of State, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, as an ex-officio Member. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** Prior to the amendment, the notification S.O. 3343(E) dated July 7, 2018, defined items 'b' and 'c' differently. Now, the amendment explicitly integrates the Minister and Minister of State of DoNER into the Council's membership, with the Minister holding the Vice-Chairman position. This change elevates the formal involvement of DoNER's leadership in the North Eastern Council and likely grants the Minister of DoNER more direct influence in the Council's decision-making processes. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the primary stakeholders directly affected by these changes are: * The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and its Ministers (both Minister and Minister of State). * Members of the North Eastern Council. * Potentially, any industries/organizations/entities that interact with the North Eastern Council and DoNER. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and the North Eastern Council are the primary bodies responsible for implementing these changes. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment takes effect "on and from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette," which is August 24, 2021, and remains in effect "until further orders." There are no other specific procedures outlined within the provided text. * **Amendment Specifics:** The implementation requires updating the North Eastern Council's records to reflect the new ex-officio membership and the Vice-Chairman role of the Minister of DoNER. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these specific changes is: * Enhanced leadership and coordination within the North Eastern Council, particularly concerning matters related to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. * More streamlined decision-making processes due to the formal inclusion of the Minister of DoNER as Vice-Chairman. * Improved representation of DoNER's perspective and priorities within the Council. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the North Eastern Council Act, 1971, as detailed in Notification S.O. 3457(E), represents a targeted adjustment to the Council's membership structure. By formally incorporating the Minister and Minister of State of DoNER, with the Minister serving as Vice-Chairman, the amendment aims to strengthen the Council's leadership, enhance coordination with DoNER, and potentially improve its effectiveness in promoting development within the North Eastern Region. This modification is likely significant for stakeholders involved in the region's development and governance.

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