The various Sub Groups constituted by the main Working Group for formulation of the strategy for Draft Seventh Plan for North East have begun discussion.
The deliberations held so far have revolved around various aspects on the problems and potentials of the Region and strategies and approach to formulates appropriate schemes for inclusion in the draft Seventh Plan.
It may be mentioned that the main Working Group in its first meeting held under the Chairmanship of Mr P H Trivedi Secretary of the NEC constituted one model group to study the various reports and materials regarding North-East and drawn inference, frame approach, the strategy, priorities and objectives of development. The Working Group on Agriculture Allied Sector, Transport and Power and other infrastructures, Industries and Minerals including Handlooms and Sericulture and Social Services. The first meeting of the Sub-Group on Social Services recently held at the NEC Secretariat discussed the present status of social services like education, health, drinking water supply, maternity and child welfare, family planning and other infrastructure like Manpower Development.
A background paper prepared in the NEC Secretariat formed the basis of discussion of the meeting of the Sub-Group. The Sub-Group recommended improvement of the teaching method to tackle the problems of drop-out and poor standard of science and mathematics, improvement of vocational training, modernization of technical education, promotion of self-employment and Crafts Training Centres for scheduled castes and scheduled tribe candidates. The Sub-Group suggested that greater reliance should be placed on the establishment of Health Centres, Sub-Centres and deployment of para-medical staff, to improve medical and health services. The existing Training arrangements should also be improved to remove the shortage of Doctors, Nu8rses and Pharmacists. In view of high child mortality in this region, the Sub-Group suggested greater efforts for maternity and child care particularly with emphasis on immunization measures Setting up of one Regional Drug Control Laboratory and involvement of local leadership for family welfare programme were also suggested by the Sub-Group.
Taking up of specific scheme for fighting malnutrition providing employment to the physically handicapped were also suggested by the Sub-Group. Utilization of TV facilities for extension of mass education and also for promotion of national integration development of sports and culture activities, greater utilization of the renewable resources of energy formed some part of the recommendation of the Sub-Group. Discussing the problem of jhum cultivation in the region, the Sub-Group suggested positive measure for a forestation and prevention of drying up of sources water. It also suggested that substantial increase in the financial provision for water supply and recommended that big irrigation projects should also include water supply as an additional activity. It also suggested that problem villages should be provided with drinking water while non-conventional sources of energy should be utilized for rural water supply. In the plains and valleys at least one tubewell should be constructed for every 250 persons, the Sub-Group added.