DoNER ministry schemes approved by Center till 2025-26
Guwahati: The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of schemes of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) with an outlay of Rs 12,882.2 crore for the remaining period of the 15th Finance Commission (2022-23 to 2025-26). ).
Based on the recommendations of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), an amount of Rs 8139.5 crore has been earmarked for the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), including liabilities for ongoing projects.
The NEC (North Eastern Council) schemes are estimated to be Rs 3202.7 crore, including the liabilities of ongoing projects.
Special packages for Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC), and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC) in Assam are estimated at Rs. Also included are the binding responsibilities of the projects.
NESIDS, a central sector scheme with 100 per cent central funding, has been restructured into two parts – NESIDS (Roads) and NESIDS (Other than Road Infrastructure).
The ministry’s new scheme ‘Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-Eastern Region – PM Devine’ (with an outlay of Rs 6,600 crore) was approved separately in October 2022, under which infrastructure, social development And includes larger and more impactful suggestions for livelihoods. fields are taken.
“The objectives of the schemes of the Ministry of DONER are to complement the efforts of various Union Ministries and Departments on the one hand and on the other hand for developmental/welfare activities to address the felt needs of the North-Eastern States,” an official statement issued by has gone said on Thursday.
The schemes help the eight North-Eastern states to bridge the gap according to their perceived needs, such as infrastructure development to reduce connectivity and social sector deficits and increase livelihood and employment opportunities in the region. By starting projects like
Extending the approved schemes for the balance of the 15th Finance Commission period (up to FY 2025-26), enabling better planning for project selection, front-loading of project approvals, and project-wise implementation of schemes. will make implementation during the scheme period,” the statement said.
“Efforts will be made to complete maximum number of projects by 2025-26 so that minimum liabilities are paid after that year,” it said.
Therefore, the schemes will have new restrictions mainly in 2022-23 and 2023-24. While the expenditure will continue during 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The central government has given top priority to the development of the North East in the last eight years.
“Actual expenditure under schemes of the Ministry of DONER in the last four years was Rs 7534.46 crore whereas, the fund available for expenditure in the next four years till 2025-26 is Rs 19482.20 crore,” the statement said.
Massive efforts have been made for infrastructure development in the region.
“To improve railway connectivity, Rs 51,019 crore has been spent since 2014. Rs 77,930 crore has been sanctioned.
In the last eight years, the average annual budget allocation has increased by 370 per cent to a total of Rs 9,970 crore, compared to an average annual budget allocation of Rs 2,122 crore during 2009-14.
375 projects worth Rs 1.05 lakh crore are underway to improve road connectivity. In the next three years, 9,476 km of roads will be laid under 209 projects, for which the central government is spending Rs 1,06,004 crore.
Air connectivity has also improved massively with a 113% increase in air traffic movement in the Northeast since 2014 (year-on-year).
“An investment of Rs 2,000 crore will be made in civil aviation in the Northeast, which will further boost civil aviation in the region,” he said.
