Centre updates economic programmes and projects for Northeast

Our Reporter
Dimapur, July 22 (EMN): The Ministry of Development of North-East Region (DoNER) on Thursday stated that an amount of INR 68,020 crore has been earmarked by 54 non-exempted ministries/departments at the budget estimates (BE) stage for Northeast region under 10% gross budgetary support (GBS) for the current financial year (2021-22).

This information was given by Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, G Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The Ministry of DoNER updated that during the financial year 2020-21, the government announced a special economic and comprehensive package, which included Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) and three Atma Nirbhar Bharat (ANB) packages to combat the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and to revive economic growth.

Eleven projects amounting to INR 313.98 crore have been sanctioned by the Ministry of DoNER under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) for strengthening health infrastructure of north eastern states, especially for fighting Covid-19 pandemic.

The projects selected for funding under the NESIDS in Nagaland which are yet to be sanctioned at a total cost of INR 42.70 crore are construction of 2-lane approach road at Chiethu airport in Kohima at a cost of INR 22.70 crore, and construction and widening of road from NH-29 to Sovima village gate-Sovima cricket ground up to Thahekhu village in Dimapur at a cost of INR 20 crore.

“To mitigate the difficulties of people in the North Eastern states, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region/ North Eastern Council sanctioned untied funds amounting to INR 26.09 crore to combat Covid-19 pandemic in eight NER States. Projects worth INR 36.50 crore have also been sanctioned to North Eastern region states for livelihood generation for returnee migrant workers due to Covid-19,” the update stated.

The Union Budget 2021-22 also announced an increase in investment in health infrastructure, Mega Investment Textiles Parks (Mitra), enhancing agricultural credit and infrastructure funds, additional budget allocation to MSME sector to name a few.

Further, in June, 2021, government announced a relief package of INR 6.29 lakh crore comprising 17 measures to support the Indian economy in its fight against the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic which included strengthening public health and providing impetus for growth and employment. Many of these programmes and policies, it stated, will benefit the Northeast region as well.