Include important ministries for NER dvpnt: DoNER

By Staff
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New Delhi, May 27: The Standing Committee on the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in its 125th report has recommended the inclusion of important Ministries and Departments of Science and Technology, Biotechnology and Space under the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme.

The Committee members were of the view that these Ministries and Departments can play an important role in the development of the North Eastren Region (NER). The region's forest cover and bio-diversity development can be given a boost through the involvement of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Department of Biotechnology, it noted.

Similarly, the Department of Space, which has given a matching contribution along with the North Eastern Council (NEC) for development of the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) at Shillong, can also contribute significantly to the development of the NER. These exempted Ministries/ Departments should be reviewed by the Government and considered for the purpose of spending ten per cent of their Grant Budgetary Support (GBS) for developing the NER. The Committee hopes that the assurance given by the Secretary would be fulfilled at the earliest.

The Committee urges the Ministry to expedite follow-up action to include Ministries/Departments of Science and Technology, Biotechnology and space in the list of Ministries and Departments which mandatorily contribute ten per cent of their GBS for the developemnt of the NER, as assured by the secretary of DoNER.

The Committee is not satisfied with the responses of the Ministry of DoNER, the reports states and it notes that the approach of that Ministry for improving air conectivity has been confined merely to making requests and no road map has been prepared for achieving targets.

The Committee would appreciate if the Ministry of DoNER could apprise it of the latest position of action taken on each recommendation. It would like to impress upon the Ministry to vigorously pursue various issues so that decisions are taken thereon within a reasonable period of time.

The Committe appreciates the problem involved with regard to the demand for engaging pilots and engineers from the private sector.

However, the problem of air connectivity in the North-Eastern Region cannot be ignored just because of this factor. As a short-term measure, the Government may take up the matter with the Indian Air Force to provide some Air Force pilots and engineers until a permanent arrangements is made. For solving the problem on a long term basis, the Ministry may discuss the issue of setting up a Pilot Training Institute at Lilabari with the Ministry of Civil Aviation at the earliest. Necessary allocation may also be included in the Vision Document 2020, the report further states.

The report says that at the instance of DoNER, the NEC had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alliance Air for improving air connectivity in the NER. Alliance Air was advised to take immediate steps to improve air connectivity in the region.

The issue of shortage of pilots was also highlighted. Alliance Air was requested to base at least one ATR turboprop aircraft at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi (LGB) Airport, Guwahati and utilise it for effecting improved air connectivity.

The Ministry of Defence has also been requested to consider the recommendations of the Standing Comittee to provide some IAF pilots and engineers. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has been simultaneously requested to consider setting up of a pilot Training Centre at Lilabari, the report added.

The Committee notes the action proposed to be taken by the Ministry to train the youth of the NE States as commercial pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers. This needs to be pursued immediately, particularly in view of the scarcity of pilots in the country.

The Committee members express deep concern over the inordinate delay in the commencement of the construction of ropeway from Tawang Monastery to Ani Gompa due to the nonchalant attitude of the authorities and lack of coordination between Central and State Governments. The Committee directs the ministry to expedite the project and submit the work plan so that funds could be released and the long-pending project may see the light of the day. The Ministry should also help the State Goverment either by itself or through the NEC in preparing work plan for the projects, if necessary required funds and technical assistance is released to the State Goverment.

The Committee is of the view that NE States, because of their backwardness, need special treatment. Secretary, DoNER and Secretary NEC submitted before the Committee at the time of considering demands for Grants for 2006-07 that all the NE States have requested budgeting of ten per cent of loan component. In view of this, the stand taken by the Ministry of Finance is not convincing. The Committee, therefore, reiterates its earlier observation and recommends that the loan component of Central assistance to NE States may also be budgeted as it used to be earlier.

The Committee agrees that in view of the conducive climatic condition and heavy rainfall, the Bamboo Mission would boost the plantation of bamboo in the region, which would certainly help the sagging economy of NE States. The committee wants early implementation of the National Bamboo Mission in the region so that the Ministry of DoNER and NEC could accelerate projects under the Mission. The Ministry of NEC may, therefore, take up the matter with the Ministry of Agriculture for early approval of the Mission.

The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation has informed that the proposed scheme of the Bamboo Mission has been referred to a Group of Ministers (GoM) by the Cabinet Committee of Economic affairs (CCEA) and further action in this matter will be taken after the GoM submits its report to the Government.

The Committee is of the view that the Vision Document being a 15-year perspective plan for integrated and holistic development of NER through the process of participatory planning, must provide for concerted efforts to tap the potential and strengths of the region, remove weaknesses and it should be prepared in consultation with all stakeholders. Sports and textiles are two sectors that have tremendous potential of growth in the NER. Prowess of sportspersons of the region has been manifested at various national and international levels. The need is for providing the ideal environment and infrastructure for allowing this talent to grow.

Textiles are one of the most important thrust areas not only to earn foreign exchange but also to provide employment to a large number of people, particularly to the rural artisans. Thus, sports and textiles are two major strengths of the region and need to be given special thrust in the document. The Committee also recommends the establishment of a national level sports school and an institute like national Institute of Fashion Technology in the NER to be included in the Vision Document 2020.

UNI

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