Centre approves INR 12882.2 Cr for development schemes in Northeast

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the schemes of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), with an outlay of Rs 12882.2 crore, for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission (2022-23 to 2025-26), the Ministry for DoNER, Mr Jaikishan Reddy today said.

Based on the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) commendations, the outlay for the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) has been fixed at Rs 8139.5 crore, including committed liabilities of ongoing projects, Reddy said in a media conference. The outlay for ‘Schemes of NEC (North Eastern Council)’ will be Rs 3202.7 crore, including committed liabilities of ongoing projects, Reddy said.

NESIDS, a central sector scheme with 100 per cent central funding, has been restructured into two components – NESIDS (Roads) and NESIDS (Other than Road Infrastructure). The Ministry’s new scheme ‘Prime Minister’s Development initiative for the NE region – PM-Devine’ (with an outlay of Rs 6,600 crores), was approved in October 2022 separately, under which larger and high-impact proposals for infrastructure, social development and livelihood sectors are taken.

The Five pillars of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan for self-reliant India, namely, Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography and Demand will get a push through the scheme, Reddy said. The Prime Minister has visited the NE region more than 50 times in the last 8 years, while 74 ministers have also visited the north-east more than 400 times.

“The objectives of the schemes of the DoNER ministry are to supplement the efforts of the different central ministries and departments on one hand and the felt needs of the North Eastern states on the other, for uncovered development/welfare activities,” the Minister said. The schemes help provide gap-bridging support to the eight NE states as per their felt needs, by taking up projects such as those for developing infrastructure to mitigate connectivity and social sector deficits and enhancing livelihood and employment opportunities in the region.

“Extension of the approved schemes for the balance of the 15th Finance Commission period (upto the financial year 2025-26), will enable better planning for implementation of the schemes in terms of project selection, front loading of sanction of the projects, and project implementation during the scheme period,” he said. “Efforts will be made to complete the maximum number of the projects by 2025-26 so that there are minimum committed liabilities beyond this year,” he said.

Therefore, schemes would have new sanctions in 2022-23 and 2023-24 primarily; while expenditure will continue to be incurred during 2024-25 and 2025-26. The central government has made the development of the Northeast a major priority in the past eight years.

“The actual expenditure in the past four years under DoNER ministry schemes was Rs 7534.46 crore whereas, the fund available for expenditure in next four years till 2025-26 is Rs 19482.20 crore,” Reddy said. Massive efforts have been undertaken for infrastructure development in the region.

North-East was previously known for unrest, bombings, bandhs but in the last eight years, peace has been restored, the DoNER Minister said. There has been a 74% reduction in insurgency incidents and about 8,000 youth have surrendered and have joined the mainstream, welcoming at a better future for themselves and their families, said. Now the DoNER Ministry will have offices in each state for better implementation and coordination, he added. (eom)