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Context:

• A Report was released on the achievements of Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region in the Press Information Bureau.

Details:

District Level NER Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index

• MDoNER had launched the country’s first district-level SDG Index for the eight North East Region States as a collaborative effort with NITI Aayog, with technical support from UNDP.
• The SDG NER index is aligned with the SDG India Index. It is based on a north-east specific District Indicator Framework, comprising 84 indicators to measure the progress of NER across 15 SDGs.
• The adoption of the NER SDG District Index for goal-based planning, gap-based prioritization, and indices-based outcome targeting is needed for coordinated planning and monitoring in the entire region. This will ensure a targeted and optimal utilization of available resources as per felt needs in the region. The institutionalization of this data-driven framework will empower all stakeholders in their decision-making and policymaking.

Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East (PM-DevINE)

• A new scheme, Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East (PM-DevINE) has been initiated.
• Announced in Budget 2022-23 as a 100% Central Sector Scheme, it aims at rapid and holistic development of the Region by funding projects of significant impact.
• Its objectives are –
  • To fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM Gatishakti;
  • Support social development projects based on felt needs of the NER States;
  • Enable livelihood activities, particularly for youth and women; and
  • Fill development gaps in various sectors - through initiatives of significant size and comprehensive reach / sub-activities.

10% Gross Budgetary Support for North Eastern Region

• Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) monitors and keeps track of expenditure by all non-exempted Central Ministries / Departments - mandated to spend at least 10% of their Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes for NE Region.
• This is to ensure a quantum jump in budgetary resource flows to the region to fill the backlog and gaps in basic minimum services and infrastructure.
• During 2021-22, the expenditure tracking was meticulously done. Resultantly, the expenditure increased by Rs. 22,311 crores (46%) over the 2020-21 level; and exceeded the target (104%) for the first time ever.

Inter-Ministerial Task Force for Agriculture

• As the Agriculture sector is the primary employer in the NE Region, priority is being accorded to its planned development. A Task Force was constituted to steer the growth of the Agriculture Sector in NE Region.
• The Task Force held consultations with active stakeholders including State Governments and Central Agencies and considered

(a) Modifications required in the existing schemes of the Agriculture Sector; and

(b) New Schemes / Projects for improved utilization of 10% GBS.

• In its recommendations – horticulture, organic, agro-forestry and plantation sub-sectors are identified to be focused upon.
• Integrated value chains - across raw material, infrastructure, processing, and marketing stages - are detailed for high-market potential commodities, viz. Bamboo, Spices (Ginger, Turmeric, Chilli, Large-Cardamom), pineapple and agarwood.

Initiatives by MDoNER for Development Tourism sector in NER

• Promotion of tourism in the North Eastern Region (NER) is a high-priority focus sector of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. Sustainable Tourism is emerging as a key driver of faster economic growth.
• The natural beauty and environment, rich flora and fauna assets, distinctive lifestyles and adventure settings, diverse culture & traditions etc. are resources being tapped for boosting tourism with spin-offs for job creation, investment and trade, infrastructure development and social inclusion for women, youth and local communities etc.
• Under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), 80 projects have been sanctioned for tourism-related infrastructure relating to connectivity, power and water supply in the Region.
• A Regional action plan is being drawn up, for development of tourism in consultation with States and active stakeholders; across Eco/Wildlife, Cultural and Heritage, Rural Homestays and Adventure, MICE and Education/Medical Tourism sub-sectors, through an appropriate inter-Ministerial Task Force.
• North Eastern Handicrafts & Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) under MDoNER, organizes tour guide course for SC & ST youth of the Region for self-employment generation.
• NEHHDC, with the Department of Travel and Tourism Management of Sonapur College Assam, is promoting research and development on Craft Tourism and allied activities - like Nature Tourism, Rural & Agri Tourism, Heritage Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Community-Based Tourism, etc. It is also pursuing development of Craft Tourism on PPP model.

World Expo Dubai 2020- NE participation (4^th to 17^th March, 2022)

• States from North Eastern Region, related Agencies and private entrepreneurs / start-ups were supported to participate in the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.
• A Team from Grand Hyper Market, Dubai visited Meghalaya, Assam and Manipur as a follow-up of their meetings in Dubai. They have expressed interest in procuring Agri- Produces like Tea, Jack Fruit, Ginger, Turmeric, Chilli, Pineapples.

Mission Mode Program for Saturation of Model Blocks & Villages  

• The need for resilient communities is particularly critical in the North-East region, given the status of its infrastructure, limited resources, ecological profile and the vagaries of nature. To address this, a Mission mode program for Saturation of Model Blocks & Villages (SAMBHAV) was conceptualized to enable the most backward and isolated communities to achieve their full potential and become “Atmanirbhar” through equal access to basic services and opportunities. This pilot program targets to saturate identified 15 basic services in the 75 GPs / Villages spread across 40 Districts in the North-East Region.
• The SAMBHAV programme will thus help these communities in the remote villages of the NE Region seek better governance from the line Ministries and State Governments, through prioritized implementation of their flagship schemes in NER.
• In doing so, the exposure to the best practices and case studies of the other parts of the country will also be tapped into.

Achievements of NESIDS and Special Development Package (SDP)

• The erstwhile Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources-State (NLCPR-State) Scheme was restructured as North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme. 
• NESIDS is a central sector scheme, aimed to support filling up gaps of infrastructure in the Region in identified sectors like water supply, power, connectivity, tourism and social infrastructure in the areas of primary and secondary sectors of education and health.

Formation of Field Technical Support Units (FTSUs)

• For bolstering the development roadmap, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) took the decision of forming 'Field Technical Support Units (FTSUs)' to work as a bridge & communication facilitator between State Governments and MDoNERfor the progress on Schemes and initiatives in NER.
• They have been stationed in the respective State Headquarters in the North East.

North Eastern Council (NEC) Golden Jubilee

• NEC, constituted in 1972, completed 50 years and celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 18th December 2022 in Shillong.
• The eight ‘foundation pillars’ for the development of the Region - peace, power, tourism, 5G-connectivity, culture, natural farming, sports, potential – can enhance the NE States that are often called 'Ashta Lakshmi' – the eight goddesses of wealth.

‘Advancing North East Portal’

• The “Advancing North East” developed by NEC with North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi), a digital web-based platform provides needed knowledge and guidance - in education, employment and entrepreneurship - to the youth of NER.

Monitoring and Geo-Tagging of Projects

• NEC in collaboration with the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) under the Department of Space has developed a Project Monitoring Portal that is a unique application of innovations for enhancing the governance process.
• Physical progress of projects especially for infrastructure is monitorable directly in three modes – mobile apps, satellite images and drone images.

Achievements of North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC)

• NEHHDC inaugurated on its new skill development training center ‘PURBAGYANAM’ in Guwahati, for the youth of North East Region.
• NEHHDC partnered with Kosha Handmade to bring handmade authentication in the handloom sector of Northeast an innovative solution to increase the demand of handmade products.
• Team Invest India facilitated the signing of an MoU between Etsy & North Eastern Handicraft & Handloom Development Corporation Ltd. to provide market access and enable support to small sellers, weavers & artisans from the North-Eastern Region.
• In collaboration with ‘Nature’s Orbit’ NEHHDC inaugurated a ZERO WASTE Campus at Craft Promotion & Experience Center, Garchuk, Guwahati on footstep towards Swatch Bharat
• Furthering the vision of 'Vocal For Local', NEHHDChas been allotted commercial spaces at 15 major railway stations in NER for One Station One Product stalls.
• Government launched the Mobile Application of North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) dedicated to the artisans and weavers of North East India.
• Nature’s Weave a premium brand of NEHHDC officially launched at North East International Fashion Week at Craft Promotion & Experience Centre, Garchuk, Guwahati.

Achievements of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC)

• Procurement of Agri-Horti produces like Pineapple, Ginger, Turmeric, Large Cardamom, Black Pepper, King Chilli (Bhut Jolokia), Bayleaf, Black Rice, Kiwi, Dragon Fruit, Water Melon, Pumpkin etc and marketing under its umbrella brand ‘NE Fresh’. Minor exports are being progressed to Europe, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
• NERAMAC has a product basket of 75+ products in the retail segment.
• A kiosk has been opened recently at ICP Agartala (Indo-Bangladesh border).
• Supply of Agri-inputs and planting materials on behalf of State Governments - Vermicompost, Bio-Fertilizers, Rhizomes, Agro shade net etc.

Implementing Agency for -

• Formation and Promotion of FPOs in NERunder ‘Formation and Promotion of 10000 FPOs under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India. 53 FPOs have been registered out of allotted 55 in the year 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. 200 new FPOs have been allotted recently by the MoFW&A.
• Bamboo Plantation Project of State Bamboo Development Agency (SBDA) of Assam :900 ha of plantation has been undertaken in three districts of Assam in the first of a three-year project.
• G.I. Registration of Agri-Horti produces of North East Region :13 products of NER have been GI registered and 7 are in the in process. 
• Horticulture Value Chain through Food Processing in Mizoram: The first Dragon Fruit juice processing plant is being set up in Mizoram by NERAMAC as Implementing Agency. This will also process Banana.

Achievements of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi)

• NEDFi plays an important role in facilitating the setting up of new industrial and service sector projects in the NE Region. The Corporation assisted 2917 projects, in diverse sectors - education & training food processing, handlooms & handicrafts, healthcare, hotels & tourism, microfinance etc.
• For the development of the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) sector, the Corporation has taken initiative to identify and nurture potential first-generation local entrepreneurs and provide finance on easy terms to help them set up viable industrial projects. The credit schemes of the Corporation under the Micro & Small Enterprises Sector are extended at a concessional rate of interest. Besides, NEDFi undertakes initiatives/ activities towards the promotion and development of MSME and Microfinance sectors in the region.
• To assist the grass-root small borrowers in unserved and underserved areas of the Region –
  • “NEDFi Micro Finance Scheme” for wholesale micro-credit to Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) for on-lending to low-income individuals ; and
  • “NEDFi Micro-Lending Scheme” to provide financial assistance directly to Micro Entrepreneurs, through Business Correspondents – were launched, for income-generating activities in farm and non-farm sectors.
• NEDFi in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has set up the North East Venture Fund (NEVF), a dedicated venture capital fund, to encourage start-up ventures in the Region.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1887062