IMPHAL, July 21: Efforts will be put to make the North Eastern Council allot atleast 10 percent of its total fund through the non-governmental sector in the North Eastern States, said newly appointed member of the council Professor Gangmumei Kamei today.
He was speaking at a simple reception ceremony on his appointment as a member of the NEC organised by the BJP Manipur Pradesh at the party office today.
He elaborated the NEC funds are sanctioned through the State governments and as such the Opposition parties have no say during fund utilisation.
He said as a member of the council, he will also help the recently elected BJP ADC members in developing their areas as the NEC is more focus on developing the hill areas of the region.
He said the NEC was established in 1972 and during the first 20 years of its inception it was working smoothly.
However in the last 10 years, its image has been badly declined, he added.
He said the total budget of the NEC is for development of the region and as such utilised on the eight States.
He continued, Assam and Mizoram receive maximum funding, but unfortunately Manipur receives only 3 percent of fund from the NEC.
He also said that he will be meeting DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra and pressed for allotment of atleast 10 percent of the total fund through non-governmental sector.
Meanwhile, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba said that the appointment of Prof Gangmumei Kamei as a member of the NEC shows that the party wants to develop the State.
He said Prof Gangmumei Kamei has also been appointed as a member of a18-member committee of the Indian Council for Historical Research.