Annexure 1 to Part A of Budget 2022-2023 Speech by the Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on February 1.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 1
A new scheme called Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East, (PM-DevINE) was announced by the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Rs 39.45 lakh crore Union Budget 2022-23 on February 1.
In her budget speech, Sitharaman said that the new scheme will be implemented through the North-Eastern Council (NEC) for funding infrastructure and social development projects based on felt needs of the North-East.
An initial allocation of Rs 1,500 crore has been be made for the project.
The infrastructure project would be in the spirit of “PM GatiShakti,” a National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, essentially a digital platform to bring 16 ministries including Railways and Roadways together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects.
Among others, it is envisioned to facilitate the last mile connectivity of infrastructure and also reduce travel time for people.
This PM-DevINE would enable livelihood activities for youth and women, filling the gaps in various sectors, the Finance Minister stated in her speech.
However, she underscored that the new scheme will not be a substitute for existing central or state schemes.
While the central ministries may also pose their candidate projects, priority will be given to those posed by the states, Sitharaman added.
Meanwhile, the initial list of projects under PM DevINE worth Rs 1500 crore annexed by the Minister in her speech indicated that the State of Mizoram is the biggest beneficiary of the scheme with a “Pilot Project for Construction of Bamboo Link Road at Different Locations in Various Districts in the State of Mizoram” with a tentative cost of Rs 100 crore and ‘Construction of Aizawl By-pass on Western Side’ worth Rs 400 crore.
It also include establishment of multi state Dedicated Services for the Management of Paediatric and Adult Haemotolymphoid Cancers in North East India at Guwahati for Rs 129 crore.
Sikkim also got Rs 64 crore and Rs 58 respectively for gap funding for Passenger Ropeway system for Pelling to Sanga-Choeling and Gap funding for Eco-friendly Ropeway (Cable Car) from Dhapper to Bhaleydhunga.
Projects worth Rs 537 crore are to be identified, informed the Minister.
