Union minister of state (independent charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jitendra Singh on Thursday met MPs from the Northeast in New Delhi and discussed with them ongoing schemes and future plans of the Central government for the region.
The MPs under the umbrella of North East MPs Forum (NEMPF) include newly elected MPs from Lok Sabha representing different states of the Northeast as well as Rajya Sabha MPs from the region.
The purpose of the meeting was to brief the MPs about the ongoing schemes and future plans of the government in the region. DoNER secretary Inder Jit Singh and North Eastern Council (NEC) secretary Ram Muivah and other senior officers of the DoNER ministry were present.
Welcoming the MPs, Jitendra Singh said the government will act for improving the lives of the northeastern people in close coordination with the elected representatives from the states of the region.
Luncheon interaction with newly elected MPs from the eight States of North Eastern Region. pic.twitter.com/sfCJZIIhi7
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 27, 2019
Stating that DoNER is the only region-based ministry in the government, Jitendra Singh said in the past five years, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given due priority to the development of the region.
He said that the procedures laid down for DPRs have been simplified so as to expedite the execution of projects in the region and to curb the unnecessary delay and chief ministers and resident commissioners of different states based in Delhi have been also requested to coordinate with the DoNER ministry and follow up with the officials about the development projects of various states.
Jitendra Singh further said issues related to enhancement of budgetary allocation for development of northeastern states are being discussed with the finance ministry.
“In departure from the earlier practice of 90:10 funding of Northeast projects under NLCPR flagship scheme of the ministry, implying 90% funds from the Centre and 10% from the respective States, the Union Cabinet has agreed that under the new scheme, North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), the entire 100% of the funding is borne by the Centre, which results in a huge relief to the exchequer of the state government and also puts an end to the frequent requests received from the State Governments about lack of funds for them to contribute their share,” Jitendra Singh said.
The minister also mentioned about the Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 to exempt bamboo grown in non-forest areas from the definition “Tree”, thereby dispensing with the requirement of obtaining a permit for felling of bamboo for economic use.
Informing the MPs that in July 2018 the NEC was restructured through the nomination of union home minister as chairman of the NEC and DoNER minister as vice-chairman, NEC, Jitendra said that that union minister Amit Shah will also chair the upcoming plenary session of the NEC at Guwahati on August 3 and 4.
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