Jyotiraditya M. Scindia addresses a press conference in New Delhi today on the significant achievements of the first 100 days of Ministry of DONER

Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region  Shri JyotiradityaScindia addressed a press conference in New Delhi today on the important initiatives, decisions and achievements of the last ten years and first 100 days  of the third term of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

On this occasion,  Union Minister Shri JyotiradityaScindia launched the ‘EkPedMaaKeNaam’ mobile application along with Union MoS for Department of Telecommunications, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar. This campaign, launched on World Environment Day, 2024, encourages citizens to plant trees to honour their mothers, promoting nationwide environmental awareness and action. By leveraging technology, this  app empowers individuals to contribute to a greener India, fostering a culture of sustainability and community engagement.

Addressing the media persons, Union Minister highlighted   the development activities in North Eastern Region by various Ministries/Department of Government of India. He informed that more than ₹5 lakh Cr  has been allocated in NER under 10% Gross Budgetary Support by 54 Ministries. The expenditure in NER has increased from ₹24819 Cr in FY 2014-15 to ₹1,02,749.46 Cr in FY 2023-24.  There is also 152% increase in Budget allocation of MDoNER from ₹2332 Cr in 2014-25 to Rs.5892 Cr in 2023-24.

He said that during the  first ten years of Modi Government, there is 384% of increase in average Annual Budget Allocation of Railways  totaling ₹9970 Cr in 2023-24.  The Annual commissioning was 66.6 KM/year during 2009-2014 which has increased by 170% to   179.78 Km/Year (2014-23). There is 1,909 Km increase in Railway Tracks.19 Railway projects worth ₹81941 Cr are in different stages of execution.

Talking about the revolutionary work done by the government in the last 10 years, he also highlighted completion of 46,296 Km Rural Roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY) with an expenditure of ₹47,279 Cr. He made a mention of laying foundation stone and inauguration of many projects in NER  by Hon’ble PM  on 9^th March, 2024 including inauguration of Sela Tunnel  for all weather connectivity to Tawang. Increase in number of airports from 9 to 17 (including operationalization of 72 routes under Udan Scheme), increase in Number of National  Waterways from 1 to 20 and an expenditure of ₹21,151 Cr on education  and establishment of 843 new Schools in NER during last ten years was also mentioned by Hon’ble Minister.

100 Days Achievements:

• Union Minister said that the during first 100 days of Modi 3.0, MDoNER has sanctioned 6 Projects worth ₹ 419.13 Cr under PM-DevINE, including establishment of State Cancer Institute at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, 3 Projects worth ₹152.6 Cr. under NESIDS (OTRI)including augmentation of Water Supply System at Namsai Township in Arunachal Pradesh and 5 Projects worth ₹ 370.16 Cr under NESIDS (Roads).
• Union Minister has informed that guidelines of various Schemes of MDoNER have been simplified to jointly consider concept note and DPR of project proposals in one go to reduce the lead time in conceptualization and sanction of projects substantially. Financial and sectoral demarcation among the schemes of MDoNER have been rationalized and issued on 21.08.2024, to prevent duplication of sanction of projects. Funds flow process for projects sanctioned under Schemes of MDoNER/NEC  has been simplified to enable the release of funds for projects in 4 installments only.
• MDoNER  has empanelled the Third Party Technical Inspection (TPTI) Agencies and Project Quality Monitors (PQMs) through NEDFi for inspection of ongoing projects to  strengthen the monitoring and inspection mechanism of ongoing projects sanctioned under various schemes of MDoNER.
• Union Minister informed that  for supporting new Start-ups, Manipur Strart-up Venture Fund  with an initial corpus of Rs. 30 Crhas been initiated and two Start-ups  have received in-principle investment commitments from this fund.
• The Ministry is organizing Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav-2024 from 6th to 8th December, 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi to promote rich heritage, handicrafts, handloom, agri-produce and craft tourism of the North Eastern States.
• North East Science and Technology (NEST) Cluster for innovation ecosystem: The Ministry of DoNER approved NEST on 13.8.2024, North east Science & Technology Cluster (NEST cluster) ecosystem exclusively for the North eastern Region similar to the S&T Cluster of the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor. 4 Verticals have been approved viz. (i) Innovation Hub on Grassroots Technologies,  (ii) Technology Hub for Artificial Intelligence & Semiconductor (iii) CoE for Innovation in Bamboo based Technology, Entrepreneurial promotion & skill development and Skill Development and (iv) Innovation Centre on Biodegradable, eco-friendly Plastics & Solid-Waste Management. The objective of the NEST cluster is to identify and address the issues and challenges of the people of NER through the technological interventions for the holistic development of North Eastern Region.
• Launch of North Eastern Region Agri-Commodity e-Connect (NE-RACE) Portal: It is a transformative step for the agricultural sector in North East, aligning with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Vocal for Local’ and opening global markets to our farmers.The North Eastern Council (NEC) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in collaboration with North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi) launched on 12th July 2024  a digital initiative called North Eastern Region Agri-Commodity E-Connect (NE-RACE) to provide market linkage for agricultural and horticultural products from the North Eastern Region (NER) in both fresh and processed forms. The NE-RACE digital platform is funded by NEC and is developed and managed by the NEDFi.

• Development of various Portals – On 22nd July, 2024, a portal was launched for robust monitoring and evaluation of the projects being implemented under various scheme of Government of India’s 54 Ministries/Departments (non-exempted under 10% GBS). The said portal has been developed. All the Ministries have been sensitized through a live demo on 6th September, 2024. This portal will help in robust monitoring and evaluation of the projects being implemented under various scheme of Government of India’s Ministries/Departments. Similarly, a portal has been developed to capture the expenditure being made under the 10% GBS of the 54 non-exempted Ministries/Departments. The expenditure details monitored will be State- wise and scheme-wise by respective Ministries/Departments. The portal will capture expenditure details State wise and scheme wise therefore ensuring effective evaluation and monitoring.