The union cabinet has approved a new scheme, Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), to fund infrastructure projects in the North East India.
The PM-DevINE Scheme will have an outlay of Rs 6,600 crore for the four year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26 (remaining years of 15th Finance Commission period). The new scheme will get 100 per cent central funding and will be implemented by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
Information and Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur said that efforts will be made to complete the PM-DevINE projects by 2025-26 so that there were no committed liabilities beyond this year.
“This implies front-loading of the sanctions under the Scheme in 2022-23 and 2023-24 primarily. While expenditure would continue to be incurred during 2024-25 and 2025-26, focused attention will be given to complete the sanctioned PM-DevINE projects.”
PM-DevINE will lead to creation of infrastructure, support industries, social development projects and create livelihood activities for youth and women, thus leading to employment generation.
“There are other MDoNER Schemes for the development of the North Eastern Region. The average size of projects under other MDoNER Schemes is about Rs.12 crore only. PM-DevINE will provide support to infrastructure and social development projects which may be larger in size and will also provide an end-to-end development solution instead of isolated projects. It will be ensured that there is no duplication of project support under PM-DevINE with any of the other schemes of MDoNER or those of any other ministry,”cabinet release said.
PM-DevINE was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 to address development gaps in the North Eastern Region (NER). “Announcement of PM-DevINE is yet another instance of the importance being attached to the development of NE Region by the Government. PM-DevINE is an addition to the quantum of resources available for the development of the NER. It will not be a substitute for existing Central and State Schemes,” the government said.
