Development of North Eastern Region

Development of North Eastern Region

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that Government of India has sanctioned, funded and implemented various schemes/projects in transport, road & bridges, power, agriculture, education, health sectors etc. from time to time in North Eastern Region (NER). The primary objective of development plans for NER has been faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth for balanced development. Special needs of NER and requirement for significant levels of investment is well recognized and Government is focusing on development of physical and social infrastructure to ensure holistic development of North-Eastern Region. During 11th Five Year Plan period flow of funds from Government of India to NER was Rs. 1.84 lakh crores. Details of flow of Plan Funds to NER during 11th Plan Period is given below: (Rs. In Crores) Source of funding 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Total From Planning Commission (State Sector approved outlays of North Eastern States including Special Plan Assistance/Additional Central Assistance) 11275.45 14738.51 17701.27 21010.00 24997.00 89722.23 (48.76%) From Ministry Of Development Of North Eastern Region (Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources Scheme & North Eastern Council Scheme) 1200 1274 1323 1500 1500 6797 (3.69%) Other Central Ministries / Departments 12932.38 14847.36 16229.46 21772.22 21721.55 87502.97 (47.55%) Total 25407.83 30859.87 35253.73 44282.22 48218.55 184022.20 In a written reply in Lok Sabha today Shri Ghatowar said, Government has taken various measures to bridge development gaps and ensure overall growth of these States through following policy decisions:- (i)                Fifty-three non-exempted Central Ministries earmark 10% of their Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) for NER. Unspent balance of 10% GBS accrues in Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), which is utilized for various developmental projects in NER. (ii)             Ministry of DoNER sanctions infrastructure projects for North Eastern States out of NLCPR as per priority of State Governments and keeping in mind backwardness quotient of the State. (iii)           Per Capita Central Assistance for North Eastern States is more than four times than that for other States. (iv)            North Eastern States are categorized as Special Category States and are provided assistance in more liberal terms in Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes and funding of these Schemes in NER is in ration of 90:10 between Centre and State. (v)               Development packages such as Bodoland Package, Special Economic Package for Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council, Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council etc. have been announced by union Government of India to address special needs of backward areas within NER. (vi)            Special programmes in specific sectors, such as Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East and North East Region Rail Development Fund for National Projects in North Eastern Region have been taken up for implementation. (vii)          Special needs for NER and requirement for significant levels of investment are well recognized and accordingly efforts have been made to address problems in critical areas of development with special programmes and funding arrangements. The central Government is also supplementing development efforts of NER by providing Special Central Assistance (SCA) and Special Plan Assistance (SPA) under the State plan. (viii)       Critical areas have been identified for intervention in 12th Plan to bridge gap in infrastructure and social sectors including road, rail, air, power, agriculture / horticulture, health and education sector etc.  *** NSK/DB (Release ID :92626)