DONER sec assures new thrust to development

Itanagar, Sep 16: The department for North East Region (DONER) has assured Arunachal Pradesh government that it would pursue the Ministry for giving new thrust on development process of this hilly state.

This was informed by DONER secretary Ms Sushma Singh during a meeting while reviewing projects under the non-lapsable central pool of resources (NLCPR) and North Eastern council (NEC), informed official sources here today.

Ms Singh, who is on a three-day visit, accompanied by joint secrretary D S Poonia, held a threadbare discussion with state's Chief Secretary Tabom Bam and other officers on the progress of various projects.

The DONER Secretary said so far 72 projects, including the one under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) with one time grant of Rs. 8.201 crore as 15 per cent matching share of SSA at an estimated cost of Rs. 609.383 crore, have been sanctioned since the inception of NLCPR.

Of the 72 sanctioned projects, full funds have been released against 36 projects and completion certificates have been submitted for 28 projects. However, completion and utilization certificates (CUCs) for the remaining projects are yet to be submitted.

Singh and Poonia also discussed with implementing department concerned regarding the on-going projects under NLCPR&NEC at length. They advocated early completion of the projects and also requested to submit CUCs within a specified time frame to help DONER release phase-wise fund on priority.

Pointing out that a master plan is essential for rapid development of the state, Singh also urged the state's Planning Department to develop one and consult the implementing departments concerned before taking any DONER project.

Taking part in the discussion, state's planning commissioner K K Sharma thanked the DONER Secretary, Joint Secretary for their visit to the State and requested the visiting dignitaries for release of the remaining funds of the on going projects under NLCPR&NEC projects at the earliest.

UNI