MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) Yes, Sir. Since 1998-1999, all the Ministries/Departments of Government
of India, except a few specifically exempted ones, are earmarking at least
10 per cent of their annual budget, less allocation for externally aided schemes
and local or event specific schemes/projects, for expenditure in the North Eastern
Region. Presently, there are 52 non-exempted Ministries/Departments which earmark
funds for the North Eastern Region.
(b) & (c) The Ministry-wise/Department-wise details of amount allocated for
the North East, amount utilized and unspent balance during 2007-08. 2008-09 and
2009-10, for which the figures have last been vetted, is at Annexure I,
Annexure II and Annexure III respectively.
(d) & (e) To enhance efficiency in utilisation of funds, the Ministry of
Development of North Eastern Region has undertaken review of Plan schemes of
seven selected Ministries/Departments which have potentialities in the NER.
These are: Department of Agriculture and Cooperation. Department of Animal
Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Food
Processing Industries, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of
Textiles and Department of School Education and Literacy. Reports received
in respect of certain sectors have been examined by the Ministry of Development
of North Eastern Region, and forwarded to the concerned Ministries with their
views and suggestions. Further, the unutilised portion of the funds earmarked
by the non-exempted Ministries/Departments is surrendered at the close of each
financial year to the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources, whose broad
objective is to ensure speedy development in the North Eastern Region by
increasing the flow of budgetary financing for new infrastructure projects/
schemes in the Region.
