Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (North East Division) had during 1998-99 sanctioned a one-time grant of  Rs. 20 crores under Techno Economic Development Fund (TEDF) for undertaking techno-economic studies for industry and infrastructure best suited to the region.

The fund is administered under the overall guidance of an Advisory Board having maximum of 21 members. An Executive Committee comprising 5 members formed out of the Advisory Board carries out the day-to-day work.

The area of study in the North Eastern States presently covers resource mapping of mineral deposits, hydropower generation, forest products, afforestation potentialities, medicinal & aromatic plants, agriculture cropping, livestock & poultry development, tourism, software development, telecommunication, handloom & handicrafts, small & medium industries marketing infrastructure and any other area as decided by the Advisory Board.