MINISTER, MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION(SHRI P.R.KYNDIAH)
(a) & (b): No, Sir.
(c) & (d): The Government has recently declared special packages for Assam and Manipur (details shown in Annexure). Assistance is also being provided to the NE States from the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources, created for infrastructure development in the NER. The State-wise position of release of funds from NLCPR till 31.03.05 is as under:
Sl. No. State Funds released( Rs. in crore)
1. Arunachal Pradesh 301.64
2. Assam 785.55
3. Manipur 330.74
4. Meghalaya 162.53
5. Mizoram 387.09
6. Nagaland 359.65
7. Sikkim 271.29
8. Tripura 450.17
9. Common to NER 18.46 Total 3067.12
Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (c) and (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3161 for answer on 16th August, 2005 regarding Regional Economic Imbalance by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS BEING TAKEN UP IN ASSAM AND MANIPUR
ASSAM
1. The Government will consider establishing a cohesive, autonomous, self-contained entity called the Brahmaputra Valley Authority or the North-East Water Resources Authority to provide effective flood control, generate electricity, provide irrigation facilities and develop infrastructure. Given managerial and financial autonomy, equipped with top class manpower, and backed by Parliamentary sanction, such a body could be the instrument for transforming the region. It could be the instrument for providing a “New Deal†for Assam.
2. Special Plan assistance of Rs.240 crore for flood damage repair and infrastructure development during the current financial year.
3. Rs.45 crore is being sanctioned for flood relief and drinking water supply.
4. For protection of Majuli Island from floods and erosion, Rs. 41 crore has been sanctioned in the first phase, to be followed by additional funds for subsequent works.
5. Conversion to broad gauge of the Lumding – Silchar – Jiribam railway line by 2009-2010.
6. Four-laning NH-37 over the Nagaon – Jorhat – Dibrugarh stretch on a priority basis.
7 Double-laning of 9 National Highways (NH-36, 51, 52, 53, 54, 61, 152, 153 and 154) on a priority basis.
8. Guwahati Trade Centre to be set up by ITPO and then handed over to Government of Assam.
9. Package of assistance for tea industry to be announced soon.
10. Resumption of biweekly flights between Guwahati and Bangkok by the end of the year.
11. NABARD to provide bank credit for 20,500 Self Help Groups within a year.
12. Gas Authority of India (GAIL) will prepare and submit a project report for the Assam Gas Cracker Project so that a final decision may be taken soon. Government of India will expedite the process.
13. Financial assistance and other support will be provided for National Games 2005.
14. Assam will be covered under a new Central initiative on the anvil for improving rural healthcare.
15. Modernisation of Guwahati Medical College, Assam Medical College and Silchar Medical College.
16. The Project approval process and fund release processes for Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) and North Eastern Council (NEC) Projects will be revamped to reduce delays.
17. The North Eastern Council will be revamped for serving as an effective regional planning body and to make it more representative of regional needs.
18. Enhanced support for rural electrification to achieve 100% village electrification by 2009.
19. State Government will be supported for setting up micro-hydel projects.
20. Restructuring aid for improving roads and bridges will be favourably considered.
21. Restructuring of the state’s finance will be considered after the report of the Twelfth Finance Commission is received.
22. A blueprint for employment will be prepared by the Planning Commission in consultation with the State Government and other bodies.
MANIPUR
1. Jiribam – Tupul (near Imphal) railway line
2. Construction of a new state capital complex
3. Widening and improving 16 specified roads and double-laning of Maram-Paren Road for upgrading road infrastructure
4. Development of mini-secretariats, residential quarters, internal roads and other amenities at 7 district headquarters (all districts other than Imphal) and the 3 headquarters of ADCs as Kangpokpi, Moreh and Jiribam
5. Loktak Downstream hydroelectric power project (90 MW)
6. Speedy completion of Khuga & Thoubal irrigation projects and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme with external assistance for expanding irrigation.
7 Construction of Dolaithabi Barrage under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme with external assistance for expanding irrigation.
8. All tribal villages in the state will be electrified during the next two years. This programme will be implemented on a priority basis.
9. Establishing a sports academy at Khuman Lampak including one-time maintenance and repairs of existing facilities.
10. Manipur University to be a Central University.
11. College of Technology, Imphal to be a constituent College of the new Central University.
12. Infrastructure development for Govt. College of Technology.
13. Special Employment Generation Programme for concessionary loans to fifteen thousand persons for agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, medical clinics, agri-clinics, pharmacies, small scale industries, trading businesses and services.
14. Manipur to be included in the states to be covered under a new Central initiative for improving rural healthcare.
15. Opening LPG outlets in all sub-divisional headquarters.
