(a) whether complaints regarding diversion of funds meant for Development of North Eastern Region
to other States have been received recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Union Government thereto indicating the quantum
of funds diverted, State-wise; and
(c) the reasons for the said diversion of funds?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b) & (c) A report had appeared in the Sentinel newspaper on 2nd February, 2010 wherein North East NGO’s
Forum (NENF) had alleged that Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region had diverted funds meant
for development of the Region to other States of the country. While quoting the Ministry’s Annual Report
2008-09, it was also alleged that the Ministry had spent huge amounts of money on various training programmes
for unemployed youths and government officials of the region in other States despite adequate infrastructure
in the North East. The Forum had named institutions like Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad,
IIM, Kolkata and other vocational training institutes outside North East Region which were engaged by the
Ministry for training unemployed youths and government officials of the region.
The period under reference was 2008-09, falling under 14th Lok Sabha and the Annual Report 2008-09 was placed
before the House during Winter Session 2009. The Plan Scheme of Capacity Building and Technical Assistance of
the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region was formulated to provide best possible training
facilities anywhere in the country to build the capacity of the youth and mid-level government officers
of the NE region so that the capacities and skills are enhanced and their efficiency and competitiveness
in the job market improves. Accordingly, the training institutions under the scheme are selected with utmost
care. The Ministry of DONER also utilizes such facilities available in the region to the extent possible. For
instance, during 2008-09, services of NEDFi(North East Development Finance Corporation), CIPET(Central
Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology), NSIC (National Small Industries Corporation), Guwahati,
etc. have also been used for this purpose. Therefore, the allegation of diversion of funds to other tates
is not a fact.
A list of institutions which were sanctioned funds under the Plan Scheme of Capacity Building and Technical
Assistance in 2008-09 is Annexed.