SCHEMES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH-EAST

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• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the continuation of Schemes of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), with an outlay of ₹12882.2 crore, for the period of 2022-23 to 2025-26.
  • The objective of the scheme is to supplement the efforts to ensure development/welfare activities in northeast India.
• The MDoNER Schemes 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.
• Extension of the approved schemes would;
  • Enable better planning for implementing the schemes in terms of project selection.
  • Front loading of sanction of the projects.
  • Project implementation during the scheme period.

Recently the Union Cabinet has approved Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) for the remaining 4 years of the 15th Finance Commission (2022-23 to 2025-26).

• PM-DevINE was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23, to address development gaps in the North Eastern Region (NER).
• It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% central funding and implementation by the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER).
  • It will be implemented through North Eastern Council or Central Ministries/ agencies.
• The Scheme will have an outlay of Rs.6, 600 crores for the four years from 2022-23 to 2025-26.
• It will create infrastructure, support industries, social development projects and create livelihood activities for youth and women, thus leading to employment generation and socio-economic development in the North-East region.

• Objectives of PM-DevINE
  • To Fund infrastructure and create new economic opportunities.
  • Support social development projects based on local needs.
  • Provide livelihood activities for youth and women.
  • Fill the development gaps in different sectors.
  • To ensure that there is no duplication of project support under PM-DevINE with any of the other schemes of MDoNER or those of any other Ministry/Department.

Challenges in North-East India :

• Geographical challenges: Very high rainfall, shifting river courses, poor drainage systems, and landslides in the North East.
  • Inaccessible Hilly terrain and underdeveloped transport.
• Low participation of the Private sector due to geographical and political reasons.
• Large scale Migration from Bangladesh resulted in socioeconomic and socio-Political problems
• Poor financial condition and lack of development increased their dependence on central devolution.
• The poor state of basic infrastructural facilities like roadways, railways, educational institutions, health facilities etc;

Steps were taken by the Government :

• The Union Government established the Ministry of Development of North East Region (MDoNER) in 2001.
  • It deals with matters related to the socio-economic development of the Northeast region.
  • It promotes coordination between Central Ministries/ Departments and the State Governments.
• NITI Forum for North East to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and to recommend appropriate interventions for the development of the Northeast.
• North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme to create infrastructure to ensure water supply, power connectivity, education and health.
• North-East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS) to promote MSME Sector.
• North East Gas Grid (NEGG) project is underway and will improve the economy.
• Act East Policy to connect the Northeast with the East Asian countries to promote development.
• Government Increased Infrastructure Investment in the region through various schemes.
• Increase air connectivity to the Northeast Region.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1888880