The Centre has approved the continuation of schemes of the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) with an outlay of Rs 12,882 crore for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission (2022-23 to 2025-26).
DoNER Minister G Kishan Reddy announced at a press conference that the approved schemes will be extended for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission, a decision that was made at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The extension will allow for better planning in terms of project selection and front-loading of projects during the scheme period.
Outlays for Specific DoNER Schemes
The outlay for the North East Special Infrastructure Scheme (NESIDS) will be Rs 8,139.5 crore, including the committed liabilities of ongoing projects, according to the Expenditure Finance Committee’s recommendations. The outlay for the ‘Schemes of NEC’ will be Rs 3,202.7 crore, including the committed liabilities of ongoing projects. The outlay for special packages for the Bodoland Territorial Council, the Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council, and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council in Assam is Rs 1,540 crore, including the committed liabilities of ongoing projects.
NESIDS, a central sector scheme with 100% central funding, has been restructured to include two components: NESIDS (roads) and NESIDS (other than road infrastructure).
Objectives of DoNER Ministry Schemes
- The DoNER ministry’s schemes aim to supplement the efforts of various central ministries and departments on one hand and address the needs of the North-eastern states on the other hand, for uncovered development and welfare activities.
- The schemes provide gap-filling support to the eight states in the region based on their felt needs by taking up projects that develop infrastructure to mitigate connectivity and social sector deficits, and enhance livelihood and employment opportunities in the region.
- The five pillars of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan for a self-reliant India – economy, infrastructure, system, vibrant demography, and demand – will also get a boost through the DoNER schemes, according to Reddy.
Budget Allocations for DoNER Schemes
The actual expenditure in the last four years under DoNER schemes was Rs 7,534.46 crore, while the fund available for expenditure in the next four years until 2025-26 is Rs 19,482.2 crore. There has been a 370% increase in the average annual budget allocation, totaling Rs 9,970 crore, in the last eight years compared to the average annual budget allocation of Rs 2,122 crore during 2009-14.
Infrastructure Development in the North-eastern Region
- Efforts have been made to improve infrastructure in the Northeastern region, with a focus on improving connectivity. For improving railway connectivity, Rs 51,019 crore have been spent since 2014. A total of 19 new projects worth Rs 77,930 crore have been sanctioned.
- For improving road connectivity, 375 projects worth Rs 1.05 lakh crore are underway. In the next three years, the government will lay 9,476 kilometers of roads under 209 projects, with the Centre spending Rs 1,06,004 crore on this effort.
- Air connectivity has also improved significantly in the Northeastern region. In the last eight years, the number of airports in the region has increased from 9 to 17, and air traffic movement has increased by over 200%.
In addition to infrastructure development, the DoNER ministry is also working on various other initiatives to boost the region’s development, including promoting entrepreneurship, skill development, and tourism.
