PM-DevINE yet to pick up pace despite sanction of Rs 775 crore for Northeastern states

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Government of India has sanctioned Rs 775.06 crore for the Northeastern states, including Assam and central agencies, under the PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for the North East) scheme. But, so far, only the state of Sikkim has been able to utilize the amount allocated to it, while the scheme has yet to pick up any momentum in other states of the NE, including Assam.

The Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for the North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) was announced as a new central sector scheme with 100% central funding in the Union Budget 2022–23. The approval of the Cabinet was accorded for the PM-DevINE scheme on October 12, 2022. The scheme has an outlay of Rs. 6,600 crore for the 4-year period from 2022–23 to 2025–26 (remaining years of the 15th Finance Commission period).

The objectives of the PM-DevINE scheme are to: (i) fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti; (ii) support social development projects based on the felt needs of the NER; (iii) enable livelihood activities for youth and women; and (iv) fill the development gaps in various sectors. PM-DevINE will not be a substitute for existing central and state schemes. It will lead to the creation of infrastructure, support industries, social development projects, and livelihood activities for youth and women, thus leading to income and employment generation.

According to Ministry of DoNER statistics, the Government of India sanctioned nine projects under PM-DevINE for the Northeastern states at a cost of Rs 775.06 crore. Under PM DevINE, 1 project was sanctioned for Assam, 2 for Mizoram, 1 for Nagaland, 2 for Sikkim, and 3 multi-state projects to be implemented by central agencies.

Under the scheme, 20 schools were to be transformed into centres of excellence in the Kamrup District of Assam. The project is to be implemented by the Public Works Department, Government of Assam, at a cost of Rs 132.86 crore. However, not a single penny has been spent from the fund as of October 31, 2023.

For the state of Mizoram, a pilot project is being implemented for the construction of two bamboo link roads at different locations in various districts in the state: (i) Tuirial Airfield to North Chaltlang (18 km) at a cost of Rs. 33.58 crore; and (ii) Lengpui to Saiphal Bamboo Plantation (41 km) at a cost of Rs. 66.42 crore. Out of the total cost of Rs 100 crore for the project, not one rupee has been spent.

In Nagaland, 22 livelihood projects relating to the Special Development of Eastern Nagaland in 4 districts of Nagaland are being implemented by the Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA), Government of Nagaland, at a cost of Rs 180 crore. Here also, no money has been spent as of October 31, 2023.

The picture is, however, totally different in Sikkim, where the gap funding for the passenger ropeway system from Pelling to Sanga-Choeling in West Sikkim was done at the cost of Rs. 63.39 crore, which is 58% of the total cost of Rs. 108.39 crore allocated for the project. The project by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, has been completed at an approved cost of Rs 63.39 crore.

So is the other scheme in Sikkim, Gap funding for Eco-friendly Passenger Ropeway (Cable Car) from Dhapper to Bhaleydunga in South Sikkim, being done at a cost of Rs. 57.82 crore, which is 28% of the total cost of Rs. 209.57 crore. This project, being implemented by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, is ongoing, but the approved amount of Rs 57.82 crore has been fully utilised.

Another multi-state project, including Guwahati in Assam, for Establishment of Dedicated Services for the Management of Paediatric and Adult Haematolymphoid Cancers in North East India and Guwahati, is to be implemented at a cost of Rs 129 crore. However, no money has been spent as of October 31, 2023.

The next multi-state project is the North-East Centre for Technology Application & Research (NECTAR) Livelihood Improvement Project: Utilization of Banana Pseudo Stem for Value-Added Products, being implemented in 12 locations in 7 states: Arunachal Pradesh (1), Assam (4), Manipur (1), Meghalaya (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (2), and Tripura (2) by NECTAR at a cost of Rs 67 crore. An expenditure of only Rs 9 lakhs from the central fund has been made.

The last multi-state project is related to promoting scientific organic agriculture in North-East India, with demo labs in Meghalaya, Assam, and Tripura being implemented by NECTAR at a cost of Rs 44.99 crore. Out of the amount of Rs 44.99 crore, only Rs 9 lakh has been spent.

From the above, it is seen that projects under PM-DevINE are yet to be implemented successfully despite the allocation of funds. A total of only Rs 121.39 crore has been spent out of the Rs 775.06 crore fund allocation for nine projects. More effort is needed for proper utilization of the resources at hand, to make the initiative a success, and for the development of the NE states.

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