DoNER Gets Tough

The Centre has had enough with projects dragging on interminably in the Northeast, which finally have to be completed with huge cost overruns. As per new rules drawn up by the Ministry for Development of Northeast Region (DoNER), projects languishing in this region for more than 5 years will be dropped, and it will be upon the State government concerned to bear the liability if any. Exception will be made only for road projects, even though some of these have been stuck for over a decade. To expedite work, a token amount of Rs 10 lakh will be released initially, followed by release of balance amount of first instalment after award of contract; more than 6 months must not elapse between sanction of project and issue of work order; utilisation certificates (UCs) of funds against all new projects must henceforth be submitted within one year. During his visit to Guwahati recently, DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh made it clear that project delays “will invite disincentives”, while the process for submission of UCs has been made more stringent and transparent. Submission and receipt of UCs will be done online, reminders for delays will also be sent online, space technology will be used to verify utilisation claims through satellite images. Last month during a review of DoNER projects in New Delhi, Dr Singh had asserted that projects must be expedited and funds utilised within the financial year. Of the Rs 10,200 crore worth old and new DoNER projects being executed in NE region, deadlines for completion have been set within 2019-20. The emphasis is on properly using up the entire budgeted amount within the fiscal so that more allocations can be planned in the budget for the next fiscal. To show that his ministry means business, Dr Singh has pointed out that the entire budgeted amount of Rs 2,682 crore for DoNER in last year’s budget was fully utilized. How soon NE States adjust to this new project funding and execution culture remains to be seen, but the change is here to stay.

The Centre last year decided to stop projects under Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), following which the Union Cabinet in March this year gave the green signal to introduce Northeast Special Infrastructure Development (NESID) schemes for this region. However, the NE States are unhappy with NESID even though projects under it are 100 percent centrally funded, unlike the 90 percent central funding for NLCPR schemes. The reason is the huge difference in the amount of funds earmarked presently — Rs 1,600 crore for NESID projects compared to nearly Rs 40,000 crore for NLCPR projects that used to run year after year. Among the projects dropped are several selected on priority basis by concerned NE State governments and sanctioned by the North Eastern Council (NEC). Not only has the Centre virtually bypassed the NEC, it further plans to position this nodal body as a ‘conflict resolution, development planning and knowledge hub’ for Northeast region. At the NEC plenary meet in July this year, several NE chief ministers took strong exception to projects sanctioned in 2017-18 being suddenly put on hold. This explains why the DoNER Ministry has been lately harping that Rs 3,500 crore worth new projects are being “fully funded” by the Centre. A mission based approach is being touted to identify thrust sectors in the Northeast for development — initially beginning with tourism, bamboo, dairy, fisheries and tea. The NEC will have to coordinate with NITI Forum for Northeast and other nodal bodies so as to bring about synergies and ensure outcomes. Behind all the talk about “action-based approach to work towards substantial results in time-bound manner”, the Centre now wants better results for every rupee it spends in this region. The onus is on State governments to institute better practices in executing Central schemes while seeking their rightful share of funds.

Improve Panchayats

Now that the two-phase panchayat elections in Assam are over, people are heaving a sigh of relief before their ears get assailed by the cacophony of Lok Sabha electioneering barely 5 months away. The past couple of months were marked by political discourse high on decibels but low on content. Crass personal attacks were made, while money power and misuse of official machinery was on full display. Ruling partners BJP and AGP went after each other hammer and tongs, leaving people bemused about the glue of power and self-preservation that holds them together in Dispur. The Congress gleefully seized the chance to play holier-than-thou vis-a-vis the feuding allies, counting on short public memory about how the institution of Panchayati Raj had become a joke during its 15-year rule when villages were held hostage to patronage politics. The rancour spilled over on polling days with incidents of intimidation, clashes and irregularities galore. Our villages will soon have new representatives, but will there be an end to the corruption and blatant misrule blighting rural self-governance? Successive CAG reports have lain bare how welfare scheme monies were skimmed off at block and panchayat levels, bogus beneficiaries created, monitoring and evaluation neglected utterly, State coffers deprived of revenue due to improper leasing of markets, fisheries and other resources. A section of village headmen and panchayat members have become filthy rich, while large numbers of panchayat workers continue to be overworked, grossly underpaid, bereft of benefits like PF and medical cover, as well as lacking in job security. It is high time governance record matters in our villages.

Also Read: