The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) has been allocated a total of Rs 5,900 crore in the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 which was a slight increase from the revised estimate of Rs 5,892.00 crore for the previous fiscal year.
According to the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today, the allocation for the DONER Ministry comprises Rs 2,040.68 crore in revenue expenditure and Rs 3,859.32 crore in capital expenditure.
For North Eastern Council (NEC) schemes, the allocation was slightly increased to Rs 820 crore from the previous Rs 800 crore.
For North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), the allocation was Rs 2,491 crore.
Under the scheme guidelines of NESIDS, 100 per cent centrally funding is provided to the states of North East region for the projects of physical infrastructure relating to water supply, power and connectivity enhancing tourism and social infrastructure relating to primary and secondary sectors of education and health.
Rs 2,200 crore was allocated for the PM-DevINE scheme. The objectives of PM-DevINE scheme are to fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti; support social development projects based on felt needs of the North East; enable livelihood activities for youth and women; and fill the development gaps in various sectors. The Scheme will be implemented by the Central ministries, North Eastern Council or state governments, through the Implementing agencies identified project-wise.
The allocation for North East Enterprise Development Scheme (NEEDS) was increased to Rs 70 crore. This scheme supports first-generation entrepreneurs who are short of equity. It also supports new projects in Micro and Small Enterprises, expansion, and modernisation of existing units.
Meanwhile, Sitharaman also announced that as many as 100 branches of India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) will be set up in the North East states. IPPB was established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication and is owned fully by the Government of India to drive financial inclusion through a combination of traditional and digital banking services.
