Pul calls for enhanced DoNER funding
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
Itagar, June 11: Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has asked the Centre to increase the budget allocations for Northeast while stating that the amount not spent out of Non-lapsable central pool of resource (NLCPR) should be kept at the disposal of the DoNER Ministry instead of getting reverted to the general exchequer.
He said this during a meeting with the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on Friday.
The chief minister pointed out that the DoNER ministry was not getting the full funding of the mandatory 10 per cent earmarked for north eastern region through NLCPR from the budget of various ministries/departments, which comes to around Rs 3000 crore in a year, an official release informed here today.
The DoNER at present is getting only Rs 800 crore, which is hampering the development activities in the region, Pul said and urged that the constitutiol provision of 10 per cent funding from all ministries and department should be deposited with the DoNER.
Further pointing out on downsizing of project estimate without consulting the state government during sanctioning stage by the DoNER, the chief minister requested the ministry to convene a meeting with state government officials and discuss before a fil decision is taken.
He informed that the state government is expediting the process for submission of all UCs in a timely manner and assured to ensure strict compliance of norms and timely submission of documents.
Pul further sought the attention of the union minister on non-release of balance funds despite submission of utilization certificate.
He also asked for provision of state-specific cost norm, re-examining the population criterion and linking it with distance and the made-to-order funding solutions, the release added.
