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 :
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 2 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Why the answer is (a)
• The North Eastern Council, set up under the NEC Act, 1971, is the regional planning body for the eight North-eastern States, headquartered at Shillong.
• After the 2002 amendment (which added Sikkim), the Council consists of the Governor and the Chief Minister of each constituent State, and three members nominated by the President — items 1, 2 and 3.
• The Union Home Minister is not a member under the Act; the Council is chaired by a Union Minister nominated by the President (since 2018, by executive decision, the Home Minister has been designated Chairman and the DoNER Minister Vice-Chairman, but this is not a membership provision of the Act).
• The NEC funds inter-State infrastructure and prepares regional plans.
• Hence 1, 2 and 3 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
- Chief Ministers are members; the Home Minister is not a statutory member.
- (c) 2 and 4 only
- Governors and the three nominated members are also members.
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
- The Home Minister is not a member under the Act.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024, held on 16 June 2024. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.