A high-level meeting to review projects implemented under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the North Eastern Council (NEC) was convened on 24th July under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister, T.R. Zeliang, at the Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall. The meeting aimed to assess the progress of ongoing projects and address issues related to delayed and incomplete projects.
Deputy CM welcomed the attendees and emphasized the urgent need for implementing departments and agencies to pay serious attention to the completion of long-pending projects, some of which have been stalled for over a decade. He underscored that the current financial year marks the culmination of the 15th Finance Commission, making it critical to utilize the funds allocated by the Ministry, rather than allowing them to go unspent. Any unutilized funds could impact the funding pattern under the 16th Finance Commission for the upcoming fiscal year, he said.
During the meeting, a total of 26 projects categorized as "Distressed" under various schemes, namely NESIDS (OTRI), NESIDS (Roads), and NEC, were reviewed. The Deputy Chief Minister noted that for some projects that could not be completed despite the release of funds, and that Ministry of DoNER has categorically stated that the State government should either complete the project or foreclose with full refund. For other projects, where implementing departments have committed to completing them within revised timelines, they were directed to strictly adhere to these dates, as they would need to communicate the final completion schedule to the Ministry.
The review also covered 16 projects under the erstwhile NLCPR (now NESIDS OTRI), spread across seven departments: Law & Justice, Youth Resources & Sports, Industry & Commerce, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), PWD (R&B), School Education, and Health & Family Welfare. Some of these projects were originally sanctioned as far back as 2003. In addition, five incomplete projects under both NESIDS (Roads) and NEC were identified. The respective departments assured that these would be completed within the newly set deadlines.
Several factors contributing to the delays and incomplete status of the projects were discussed in detail, and various strategies were explored to expedite their completion. The Planning Department, acting as the liaison between the State Government and the Ministry, was urged to ensure timely submission of factual data by the implementing departments to streamline correspondence and save valuable time in coordination with the Ministry.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to fast-track the completion of these vital infrastructure and development projects, recognizing their significant role in the region’s growth and development.
(DIPR)
