Centre’s nod for the continuation of DoNER Ministry schemes to NE Region states

• ₹12882.2 crore, for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission (2022-23 to 2025-26) will ensure continuity of projects
• The North East Special Infrastructure Scheme (NESIDS) will be Rs.8,139.5 crore including committed liabilities of on-going projects
• Ministry’s new scheme “Prime Minister’s Development initiative for the northeastern region – PM-Devine” (with an outlay of Rs.6, 600 crore), has been approved earlier in October-2022 separately

IndiGlobal Bureau

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Schemes of the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region, with an outlay of ₹12882.2 crore, for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission (2022-23 to 2025-26).

The objectives of the schemes of the MDoNER are to supplement the efforts of the different Central Ministries & Departments on one hand and the felt needs of the NE Region States on the other, for uncovered development/welfare activities. The MDoNER Schemes help provide gap- filling support to the eight North Eastern States as per their felt needs, by taking up projects – e.g., for developing infrastructure to mitigate connectivity and social sector deficits and enhancing livelihood and employment opportunities in the region.

The government has made the development of North East a major priority. The Prime Minister has visited the northeast region more than 50 times in the last 8 years, while 74 ministers have also visited the northeast more than 400 times.

Based on the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) recommendations, the outlay for the North East Special Infrastructure Scheme (NESIDS) will be Rs.8,139.5 crore including committed liabilities of on-going projects. The outlay for ‘Schemes of NEC’ will be Rs.3,202.7 crore including committed liabilities of on-going projects.

The Ministry’s new scheme “Prime Minister’s Development initiative for the northeastern region – PM-Devine” (with an outlay of Rs.6, 600 crore), has been approved earlier in October-2022 separately, under which larger and high-impact proposals under infrastructure, social development and livelihood sectors are taken.

Extension of the approved schemes for the balance of the 15th finance commission period, i.e. upto FY 2025-26, would 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 Efforts will be made to complete a maximum number of the projects by 2025- 26 so that there are minimum committed liabilities beyond this year.

Therefore, schemes would have new sanctions in 2022-23 and 2023-24 primarily; while expenditure would continue to be incurred during 2024-25 and 2025-26 focused attention will be given for completing the on-going sanctioned projects.

The Five pillars of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan for self-reliant India, namely, Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography, and Demand will get a push through the scheme.