The commission feels agencies like the Border Roads Organisation could be used in areas where road projects were either opposed by extremists or “are used to extort funds from local contractors”. The report also speaks of the nexus between illegal mining and forest contractors, transporters and extremists that provides financial support to the extremists.

Calling for a national water law, the commission has focused on water, asking the Centre to be more “proactive and decisive” in inter-state river disputes. It has suggested River Basin Organisations (RBOs) for each inter-state river. This can be done through a legislation to replace the River Boards Act, 1956.

On Scheduled Castes, the commission has asked for speedy disposal of discrimination cases against Scheduled Castes and engaging independent agencies to identify cases of social discrimination.

‘Home Ministry should be nodal agency’

The commission has asked for abolition of the ministry for

Development of North Eastern Region, suggesting that the responsibility be given to the North-Eastern Council (NEC) and ministries handling the relevant subjects. The Home Ministry should act as the nodal agency, its seventh report has said. The responsibility of sanctioning funds from the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources should be entrusted to the NEC. The commission wants local governance institutions in the region to be strengthened. It has also called for greater incentives for officers posted in the Northeast and an increase in the number of police officers on deputation to these states and vice versa.