Release DoNER funds, CM to PM

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Nov 3: The DoNER Ministry was set up in the year 1998-99 to ensure overall development of the Northeastern region. Since its inception, the ministry had approved several projects for NE states including Assam. Out of the total projects approved for Assam, so far 60 per cent of the projects have been completed. However, it is in sharp contrast with the percentage of utilization of funds released by DoNER, which stands at 83 per cent.

The State government is yet to submit utilization certificates of funds to the tune of Rs 448 crore.

It may be mentioned that in the last 17 years, the State has got 619 projects under Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), of which 373 projects have been completed.

The DoNER has so far approved Rs 3,928 crores of which Rs 2,643.81 crore has been released. The State government has submitted UC of Rs 2,195 crore.

Meanwhile Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday in a letter urged Prime Minister rendra Modi to release an amount of Rs 118.51 crore which is due despite submission of Utilization Certificate (UC).

Gogoi also pointed out that the DoNER has not sanctioned projects from the priority lists of 2014-15 though the State has already submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of 19 projects against 20 retained projects amounting to Rs. 296.17 crore. Urging the Prime Minister to issue necessary instructions to the DoNER Ministry, Gogoi said, “As completion of the projects are now under different stages, non release of funds on time has not only hampered the progress of these vital projects, but also leads to cost overruns.”