Question : NHAD and Other Projects

(a) whether the Ministry of DoNER has contributed Rs.25 crore as initial funding for setting up of “air dispensary” for north eastern States, which will be based in a helicopter and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Ministry of DoNER has sanctioned Rs.90 crore for “Northeast Hill Area Development” beginning from Tamenglong district on a pilot basis, in the first phase, for a period of two years and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the DoNER Ministry has approved a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Rs.480 crore for further developing cooperative sector in the State of Manipur and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps being taken by the DoNER for the development of the region?

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
[Dr. Jitendra Singh]

(a) As of now, the budget line of Viable Gap Funding for Air Services in the North Eastern Region has been transferred from Ministry of DoNER to Ministry of Civil Aviation.

(b) In principle, approval for an amount of Rs.90 crore has been granted by Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance to the proposed ‘Hill Area Development Programme’(HADP).

(c) & (d) The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has been assigned the function of coordinating the efforts of the Government for development of the North Eastern Region. The measures taken by the Ministry supplement the efforts of concerned Ministries and State Governments and, inter alia, includes coordinating with Central Ministries/Departments for ensuring enhanced and efficient utilization of their respective annual earmarked allocation for the Region, providing gap funding for infrastructure projects, skill development and capacity building and livelihood programmes. As the regional planning body for the region, North Eastern Council (NEC) has been taking up several infrastructure and social sector projects deemed to be of critical importance for socio-economic development of the region. Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme, supported by 10% Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of non-exempted Ministries/Departments, is also in place to ensure speedy development of social and economic infrastructure in the NER.