MEGHALAYA: DECLINE IN NEC BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma apprised Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the 67^th Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) about the decline in NEC Budget allocation for development programmes and delay in project implementation.

While requesting the Government of India to review the fund allocation to the NEC by raising the annual NEC Budget size to at least 2000 cr, Sangma said, “Without suitable financial backing from the NEC, it will be difficult for the N.E States to reach the desired levels of growth and development as envisioned in the NER vision 2020”. He also urged the centre to ensure flexibility in the implementation of North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).

Apprising Singh on the NEC schemes sanctioned for 2017-18 which are yet to be approved, Sangma said the delay is hampering developmental projects and there is a communication gap between NEC and Ministry of DoNER.

The Chief Minister asserted that any important decision on change of approach and guidelines must be taken at the Plenary Session of the NEC rather than pending any further decision any modification of guidelines or change approached. He also asked the Ministry of DoNER and the NEC to review their recent decisions and to continue providing financial assistance to the developmental programmes of the States, as has been done in the past.

On 2022 National Games, the Chief Minister sought for additional infrastructure to enable the State government to host the event successfully. The fund requirement for the creation of the stadia, games village, etc is estimated to be about 1500 cr. The State government has put forward a request to the GoI for a special grant for this purpose which may be routed through the Ministry of DoNER and the NEC said CM Sangma.

The Chief Minister also apprised the Union Minister on the challenge to cut the mountain to increase the runway, which involves huge financial implication while talking about improving airport connectivity in Meghalaya. He also sought for centre’s intervention if help can be accorded to start the Baljek airport in Garo Hills.

The Chief Minister on Act East Policy said that there is a need for international air connectivity between North Eastern States with Yangoon, Naypyidaw, Bangkok and other South East Asian cities for promoting trade and tourism. There is a need for Special Economic Corridors and Special Economic Zones to focus on export and also to meet the domestic demands of the region.

In the session CM Sangma also apprised the Union Minister to start rotational meetings amongst all the North Eastern States every six months to discuss common issues and agenda to improve cultural, trade and business relation with ASEAN countries.

He also mooted an idea that all Chief Ministers of North East should travel together to understand business and trade potentials with ASEAN countries.He also requested the centre to provide additional allocation of funds to address the challenge of climate change, mitigation and adaptation in North East.