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The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) has taken a number of steps to increase support to the infrastructure projects in the region and make the central assistance more effective.
Speaking at the 5th Editors Conference on the Social Sector Issues, Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region, Shri P R Kyndiah said “One of the priorities areas of the Common Minimum Programme is to ensure special assistance to the region to upgrade and expand infrastructure and strengthen the North East Council”.
The budgetary allocation for the current financial year for the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) has been increased from Rs. 550 crore last year to Rs.650 crore this year. The NLCPR was created in 1997 for funding the developmental projects of North Eastern States. The projects funded are in the categories of Irrigation and flood control, Roads and Bridges, Education, Health and Drinking Water supply.
The Ministry has also revised the guidelines governing administration of NLCPR this year to accelerate programme implementation. The new guidelines have streamlined the procedures and ensured more equitable distribution of resources amongst NE States.
The Ministry has also taken steps to revitalize the North East Council. Shri Kyndiah informed the press that the central Government has already initiated action on the basis of recommendations of Srivastava Committee Report. The Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri P.P. Shrivastava had held wide ranging consultations with Members of the NE Council, senior State Government officials, intellectuals, Civil Society Groups and MPs and other stakeholders in the North Eastern region before submitting its report in July 2004.
The sectoral allocation of funds for the NEC in the Xth Plan gives top priority to Transport and Communication projects (41%) followed by Health (15%) and Power (15%).
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has also taken an ‘in principle’ decision to provide funds for the infrastructure to establish an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in the North Eastern Region.
In order to meet the existing resource gap which exists in the North Eastern Region, the central government has initiated a process for international cooperation for development of North Eastern Region. In this regard, several Externally Aided Projects are under consideration for funding by multilateral agencies including ADB, World Bank etc. ADB has sanctioned Technical Assistance for two major projects on Urban Development and Road Infrastructure in NE Region.
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