Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday that the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for the North-East (PM-DevINE) programme launched by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 2022-23 is proof of PM Modi’s commitment to the region.
While addressing the Intellectual Meet on Union Budget 2022-23 in Manipur, he said, “Modi Ji’s scheme PM DevINE (Development in North East) is the first of its kind scheme in the name of Prime Minister. There were schemes earlier too, like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), but this scheme is focused entirely on the North East.”
The Chief Minister also praised the Budget 2022-23, saying that the Centre’s commitment to the North-Eastern states is “not just words, but actions as well.”
“This Budget was placed on the background of a huge pandemic impact; lockdowns and curfews every now and then, but in spite of that, the Finance Minister has increased the demolition grant to every state. The grant for Assam has been increased to Rs 25,000 crore, we are gaining by 35 per cent on account of the demolition grant,” he said.
“It is not just words, but deeds also; The FM sanctioned two extra instalments for the last two months of the present financial year,’ he added.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while announcing the PM-DevINE scheme, stated that it will be administered through the North-Eastern Council and also revealed that an initial allocation of Rs 1,500 crore will be given for the new scheme.
In the spirit of PM GatiShakti, the initiative will fund infrastructure and social development projects based on the North-perceived East’s needs.
She further claimed that it will provide opportunities for youngsters and women to earn a living by filling gaps in many areas.
As per the Finance Ministry, the initial list of projects to be funded under the Scheme includes Establishment of Dedicated Services for the Management of Paediatric and Adult Haematolymphoid Cancers in North East India, Guwahati (Multi-State), NECTAR Livelihood Improvement Project (Multi-State), Promoting Scientific Organic Agriculture in North East Indian (Multi-State), Construction of Aizawl By-pass on Western Side, Gap funding for Passenger Ropeway system for Pelling to Sanga-Choeling in West Sikkim, Gap funding for Eco-friendly Ropeway (Cable Car) from Dhapper to Bhaleydhunga in South Sikkim, Pilot Project for Construction of Bamboo Link Road at Different Locations in Various Districts in the State of Mizoram among others.