NE MPs mulls DoNER upgradation

Aizawl, Dec 19 (UNI) The North East MPs have demanded upgradation of the development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) Ministry to a full-fledged Central Ministry to ensure effective execution of special projects.

Official sources here today informed that in their first formal meeting with DoNER Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, the North East MPs, Forum, conveyed the Ministry should promote better coordination with the Centre and the region, even after the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) ceases to exist.

The MPs said they were satisfied with the meeting and happy to note that Mr Aiyar appeared interested about the region.

The MPs also reiterated the demand for an informal Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry with the MPs of the region. They wanted the Committee constituted before finalisation of the 11th Plan.

The Forum also renewed the plea for modification of the North East Industrial Policy, to make it attractive to investors.

On the North Eastern Council (NEC), they pointed out that some projects were languishing as the approval by the Planning Commission have been delayed up to four years in the 10th Plan.

As a result there was gap of around Rs 985.5 crore from the corpus of Rs 3,500 crore finalised by the Planning Commission. These cut in the total outlays needs to be taken up seriously with the Planning Commission and Finance Ministry, they suggested.

The MPs also urged the DoNER to prioritise one or two schemes, recommended by the MPs out of the total list of projects submitted by the state government, the sources added.

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