Arunachal urged to utilise NEC funds

Itanagar, Jun 13 (UNI) The North East Council (NEC) has urged Arunachal Pradesh to expedite the utilisation of already released so that more amount could be released in the days to come for other developmental activities in the state.

Official sources said here today that NEC secretary Falguni Rajkumar, who is on a two-day visit to the state to review the NEC-sponsored developmental schemes in the state, called on Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu here yesterday and apprised him of the various road projects being actively considered by the council.

Mr Rajkumar suggested that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for those projects be prepared and placed before the NEC for early sanction of funds.

Citing the example of Meghalaya, which had already utilised over 70 per cent of NEC funds, Mr Rajkumar said Arunachal should also try to submit its utilisation certificate as soon as possible.

Mr Khandu, while assuring to comply with the suggestions advocated for early sanctioning of various proposals lying with the NEC, urged the secretary to bring the NEC's project coverage to other strategically important places, including Daporijo, Anini and Anjaw.

However, Mr Rajkumar advised the Chief Minister to approach the DoNER Ministry for state-specific schemes, sources disclosed.

The Chief Minister also expressed the state's inability to complete work on the Rs 129 crore 132 KV transmission line from Tawang to Bhalukpong, connecting Seppa and requested the NEC to consider taking it up.

''The transmission line would play a pivotal role when the Kameng hydro project, being executed by North East Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO), is commissioned, the Chief Minister said, adding that the state could not complete the work because of funds crunch.

The secretary, however, suggested that the State Government to place the project DPR in front of the DoNER Ministry and endorse a copy to the NEC for further consideration, the sources added.

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