New Delhi, Dec 04: As per extant guidelines, each Central Ministry and Department is expected to spend 10% of its Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) as per prescribed norms in North Eastern Region (NER).
However, no state-wise allocations are made and funds are released to the States based on requirements against sanctioned projects or schemes. In addition, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and North Eastern Council (NEC) implement some schemes like Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS) etc.
For bridging the infrastructure gaps in certain identified sectors in the NER. Normative allocations under schemes of MDoNER and Schemes of NEC are done as per prescribed norms which inter alia include area; population; human development index, road density; percentage of census villages electrified; number of hospital beds; percentage of households having safe drinking water and completion rate of projects.
Coming particular to Meghalaya, in fund released in the last five years are 2014-15, Rs. 157.15 cores, 2015-16 Rs. 193.69 cores, 2016-17 Rs. 194.54 cores, 2017-18 Rs.298.00 cores and 2018-19 Rs.118.92 cores.
Although in some cases, delays have been noticed in completion of the projects from the schedule, keeping in view various constraints like short working season, difficult terrain, etc., the pace of development in North Eastern States is considered satisfactory. Continuous efforts are being made for further improvement in the pace of development.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, DrJitendra Singh in written reply to a question in LokSabha today.
