The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has released new scheme guidelines for implementing the schemes approved by the Centre during the 15th Finance Commission’s balance period (2022-2026).
It may be mentioned that the Union cabinet has recently approved continuation of the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) with an approved outlay of Rs 8139.50 crore for the period from 2022-23 to 2025-26 with two components — NESIDS-Road and NESIDS-Other Than Road Infrastructure (OTRI).
The scheme is a central sector scheme with 100 per cent central funding. The decisions of the Central government including merger of the erstwhile North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS) into NESIDS-Road component etc. necessitated formulation of fresh guidelines to administer and implement the restructured NESIDS during the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission.
Accordingly, the newly-formulated separate guidelines to administer and implement both the components of the NESIDS have now been issued after having extensive consultations with the stakeholders and detailed discussions internally.
The objective of the NESIDS is to support infrastructure development in identified sectors including connectivity in the North East states.
The Union cabinet had also approved continuation of the ‘Schemes of NEC’ for the period from 2022-23 to 2025-26 with a total outlay of Rs 3202.7 crore. The fresh guidelines for the “Schemes of NEC” have also been issued after having detailed discussion and consultations.
The objectives of the schemes of the DONER Ministry are to supplement the efforts of the different Central ministries and departments on one hand and the felt needs of the North East states on the other, for uncovered development and welfare activities.
The schemes of the DONER Ministry help provide gap-filling support to the eight North Eastern States as per their felt needs, by taking up projects for developing infrastructure to mitigate connectivity and social sector deficits and enhancing livelihood and employment opportunities in the region.
The newly issued detailed schemes’ guidelines combined with the concerted efforts of the DONER Ministry and with the kind support of North East states will facilitate to achieve intended objectives in a transparent and accelerated manner. (PIB)
