Policy for the North Eastern Region In view of the continuing backwardness of North East region, the need for a new and synergetic incentive package was widely felt to stimulate development of industries. So far, two industrial policies were announced for the entire North East region. The North East Industrial Policy (NEIP) was announced on 24 December 1997 and after the expiry ofNEIP in 2007, a new North East Industrial and Investment Promotion policy (NEIIPP) was announced in 2007. Under NEIIPP 2007, Sikkim was also included (Department ofIndustrial Policy and Promotion 1997 and 2007). The NEIP 1997, tried to give a package ofincentives. The salient features ofthis policy are: • Expenditure on Growth Centres (GC) up to Rs 15 crore (as against Rs 10 crore earlier) would be met through Central assistance. • Funding pattern for Integrated Infrastructure Development Centres (IIDC) changed from 2:3 between the Government of India (GOI) and Small Industries Development Bank ofIndia (SIDBI) to 4:1. The GOI funds would be in the nature of grant.