(a) the amount spent by the Union Government in North Eastern States for developing infrastructure for handling exports since January, 1999 onwards;
(b) the total amount announced by the Prime Minister in January, 1999 for this purpose;
(c) the reasons for sluggishness in the development of infrastructure; and
(d) the steps being taken to expedite the development of infrastructure in the North Eastern States?
MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI MURASOLI MARAN)
(a) An amount of Rs. 27.54 Crores has been sanctioned for development of infrastructure in the North Eastern States for handling exports since January 1999.. Out of this amount Rs. 17.60 crores have been released.
(b) As per the PM`s Package for development of North East region, Rs. 20.00 crores have been earmarked for the development of four border townships at Zokhawthar(Mizoram), Moreh (Manipur), Dawki (Meghalaya) and Sutarkhandi(Assam). Minimum 10% of the budgetary provision of various schemes of Department of Commerce are earmarked for development of trade related infrastructure in the North East.
(c) & (d) The development of infrastructure requires coordination with various agencies on different issues, including provision of land. Regular meetings with the State Governments of the North East region and other concerned agencies have been held to expedite the implementation of the sanctioned projects.