Page 46 - NIS English 1-15 June, 2026

Cover Story
Ashtalakshmi
Years
of Vikas Yatra

Ashtalakshmi: The Powerhouse of Peace
and Prosperity for a New India

Ashtalakshmi, signifying the eight states of the Northeast are brimming with self-confidence. They have embarked on a new
trajectory and stand ready to lead the nation’s developmental journey. Once known for violence and blockades, this region home
to a population exceeding 50 million is now traversing the path of progress and witnessing holistic development. Over the past
12 years, this new wave of development has proven that the Northeast is no longer a remote frontier, but rather a gateway to
security and prosperity - a region that is neither distant from Delhi, nor distant from the heart...

10% Budgetary Assistance
Special Focus on the Under this framework, 55 ministries
Northeast; Enhanced Con- and departments allocate at least 10%
nectivity with Delhi of their respective budgets toward
n Over the last 12 years, the government in the development of the Northeast.
centre has significantly strengthened its Thanks to these concerted efforts,
direct engagement with Northeast India. the Northeast region is witnessing
The Prime Minister, his cabinet ministers, rapid development.
and senior officials have been making Historic Expansion in
regular visits to the Northeastern states.
Budgetary Expenditure
n The government has mandated that, every
15 days, a Union Minister must visit one of 2014–15 ₹24,819 Crore
the Northeastern states.

n While Prime Minister Narendra Modi 2025–26 ₹1,00,271 Crore
has visited the Northeast 83 times, Union The Northeast has received substantial financial resources
Ministers have collectively visited the over the past 12 years.
region 880 times between January 2015 and Total Budgetary
December 2025. Allocation Actual Expenditure
6.97 7.12

Lakh Crore Rupees Lakh Crore Rupees

Continuous Development
Works Underway in the
Northeast Region
Under the schemes administered by the
Ministry of Development of North Eastern
Region (MoDNER), approximately:
`3,735 `49,907

projects have Crore—
been sanctioned representing their
for the total estimated
Northeast region cost.