North East Secures ₹4.5 Lakh Crore Investment Commitments as DoNER Charts Roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047
Jyotiraditya Scindia reviews recommendations of eight high-level task forces; says region is emerging as a major growth engine for India
Union Minister for Home Amit Shah, and Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said at the 73rd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong on Friday.
Shillong: The North East has attracted investment commitments worth approximately ₹4.5 lakh crore and is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said at the 73rd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong on Friday.
Addressing the plenary chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah and attended by governors, chief ministers and senior officials from the eight North Eastern states, Scindia outlined the ministry’s development strategy and reviewed recommendations submitted by eight high-level task forces constituted to prepare a long-term growth roadmap for the region.
The minister said the ministry of DoNER has evolved into a facilitator, coordinator and catalyst for regional development, guided by the “Three-C” framework of Connect, Converge and Catalyse.
The task forces, chaired by chief ministers from the region and supported by representatives from the Centre and states, focused on key sectors including investment promotion, agriculture and horticulture, handicrafts, infrastructure and connectivity, economic corridors, livestock and fisheries, sports and tourism.
Scindia said the recommendations would be submitted to NEC chairman Amit Shah for further consideration. A proposal has also been made to establish a high-level steering committee comprising chief ministers and Union ministers to monitor implementation of the recommendations.
Highlighting the ministry’s recent achievements, Scindia said expenditure under DoNER has increased from around ₹1,000 crore in 2022-23 to nearly ₹4,000 crore over the last two years. The ministry has received a budget allocation of ₹6,500 crore for the current financial year.
The minister pointed to the success of the Rising North East Investment Summit, which attracted participation from more than 100 ambassadors and generated investment commitments worth ₹4.5 lakh crore. He said projects worth nearly ₹40,000 crore have already been grounded since the summit held in May 2025.
“The response from investors reflects growing confidence in the North East as a destination for business, industry and economic growth,” he said.
Scindia also highlighted significant progress in financial inclusion across the region. Over the last 15 months, 131 new bank branches have been opened and 6,500 previously unbanked villages have been brought under the formal banking network. Digital payment adoption through UPI has reached nearly 90 per cent, he added.
The minister cited initiatives such as the Ashtalakshmi Darshan Student Exchange Programme and ISRO exposure visits as important steps towards strengthening cultural integration and scientific learning opportunities for students from the region.
Tourism development remains another key focus area. Scindia said the ministry is developing iconic tourism circuits across all eight North Eastern states to leverage the region’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and biodiversity.
Projects such as the Matabari Tourism Circuit in Tripura and the Sohra Tourism Circuit in Meghalaya are being developed to improve tourism infrastructure, visitor amenities and connectivity while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The minister also highlighted the One State One Product initiative, which seeks to build globally recognised brands from the North East by leveraging each state’s unique strengths.
Among the products identified under the programme are Lakadong Turmeric from Meghalaya, Muga Silk from Assam, Kiwi from Arunachal Pradesh, Queen Pineapple from Tripura and Organic Farming from Sikkim.
According to Scindia, the initiative aims to strengthen value chains, improve branding and packaging, enhance market access and boost export opportunities for farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs.
He said sustained efforts in investment promotion, infrastructure development, banking expansion, tourism, logistics and human capital development are laying the foundation for a self-reliant and prosperous North East.
“The North East is steadily transforming into one of India’s most dynamic growth regions and will play a major role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047,” Scindia said.
