NE CMs opposes Moily recommendation on DoNER

Shillong, Apr 21 (UNI) Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States, including Sikkim has decided to oppose the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission(ARC) to abolishe the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

''We will all be meeting on May 12 at Agartala to discuss the issue and oppose the ARC recommendation to abolishe DoNER,'' Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy said.

Earlier, Dr Roy told the Assembly that the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance Government would ask the Centre to strengthen the DoNER ministry, which was set up with the objective to benefit the North Eastern States.

''DoNER has been created for the purpose of North East. North Eastern States won't like to see the government abolishing it,'' the Chief Minister told the Assembly.

The ARC, headed by former Karnataka chief minister M Veerappa Moily, has recommended abolition of the ministry, which is currently headed by Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar.

''The ministry for DoNER may be abolished and the responsibility for the development of the region should be restored to the Ministry of Home Affairs,'' Mr Moily recommended.

''The responsibility of sanctioning funds from the non-lapsable central pool resources should be entrusted to the North Eastern Council,'' the report said.

The report suggested that the Planning Commission should lay down a framework for preparation of plans ''with priorities and not as an assortment of schemes by the North Eastern Council''.

Soon after the recommendation, Member of Parliaments, including Congressfrom North Eastern states opposed the Moily's recommendation, which they felt that it was against the interest of the North Eastern States.

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