NEW DELHI, Aug 24 ? In a scathing remark on functioning of the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), a Parliamentary panel has asked it to play a proactive role in development of the north-eastern region (NER) and fix a timeframe for revamping the North Eastern Council (NEC). The role and functioning of DONER have come under scrutiny. Upon closer examination, it was noticed that the role played by the Ministry appears to be inadequate in that it has been playing the role of a mere funding agency for the States. The Ministry should conceptualise and initiate developmental programme on its own in the region within the overall perspective developmental plan for the region, the Parliamentary Standing Committee attached to the Ministry for DONER advised.
Considering that some parts of the NER are extremely backward, a proactive role by the Ministry in conceptualising and initiating development projects and schemes will result in equitable, balanced and comprehensive development in the region. Revitalisation of the NEC is an imperative need for achieving the desired level of growth and development in the North East. It was, therefore, disappointing to note that no timeframe has been fixed to implement the report on the revitalisation of NEC, the panel remarked in its report submitted in the Parliament. The Committee?s reaction came after it became known that the Government was examining the report of PP Shrivastava Committee but has not fixed any timeframe for its implementation. The Committee had studied various aspects including composition of the council, organisational setup, regional planning for sustainable growth and development of the north-eastern region (NER).
The Parliamentary Standing Committee headed by Sushma Swaraj did not sound happy with the curtailment of funds for the NEC. The Council?s budget was slashed down to Rs 395.29 crore from the earmarked Rs 500 crore in 2003-2004 on account of low expenditure during early quarters. It was only after the Chief Ministers of the region forced the NEC to pass a resolution that the Prime Minister intervened and the budget was restored. The NEC should commence work from the beginning of the financial year so as to avoid the inconvenience of curtailment of budget due to low performance. It should make strategy for utilisation of funds for its various schemes and projects, the Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended.
Meanwhile, the proposed ?Road Map? for development of the NER, envisages to link all the State capitals of the north-eastern States (NES) through all-weather four-lane roads in the valley and two-lane roads in the hill areas. The Road Map prepared by DONER proposes to facilitate generation of more power by exploiting the rich hydropower potential of the region. The Ministry has decided to monitor the implementation of power projects within a specific timeframe as formulated by the Power Ministry. It also envisages introduction of ?commercial horticulture? in an organised and planned manner to enhance production, productivity and to facilitate marketing and processing.
The NEC will take up the ?Bamboo Mission Project? as a priority industrial project. The Centre for Bamboo and Cane Technology at Guwahati would be the nodal agency for implementation of the Bamboo Mission Project. However, the Parliamentary Committee that also has Rahul Gandhi as one of its members, was unimpressed and raised questions about its feasibility. Considering the budgetary projects for NEC, it was doubtful about the feasibility of the Road Map in the absence of parallel budgetary allocations. The NEC, may, after working out the financial implications for the Road Map submit a fresh proposal to the Planning Commission for making supplementary budgetary allocation, the DONER was told.