DoNER Hosts Post-Budget Webinar to Accelerate Development in North Eastern States

Dr. Majumdar expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the development of the North Eastern Region, stating that the initiative “Viksit Bharat” will drive the region's progress.

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) held a Post-Budget Webinar titled "Accelerated Development of North Eastern States" at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi, on Thursday. The event, chaired by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for DoNER, featured key participants including Shri Chanchal Kumar, Secretary; Planning and Finance Secretaries from the eight North Eastern States; Resident Commissioners; and senior officials from MDoNER, the North Eastern Council, and central public sector enterprises.

During the webinar, the Secretary of MDoNER highlighted significant economic improvements, noting an increase in GDP, a reduction in the fiscal deficit, and an allocation of Rs 11.11 lakh crore for capital infrastructure projects. This funding aims to enhance connectivity in the North Eastern Region (NER). The Secretary assured that ongoing MDoNER projects would be expedited and discussed reforms to ensure timely budget disbursement and streamlined project approvals through digital technology.

Dr. Majumdar expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the development of the North Eastern Region, stating that the initiative “Viksit Bharat” will drive the region's progress. He praised Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a transformative budget that prioritizes the welfare of various demographic groups. The budget includes Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment, and skilling, and Rs 3.00 lakh crore for women and girls.

Dr. Majumdar also highlighted that non-exempt central ministries and departments have significantly invested in the NER, with a cumulative expenditure of Rs 5.22 lakh crore from 2014-15 to 2023-24. He noted that actual expenditure in the region exceeded Rs 1.00 lakh crore for the first time in the fiscal year 2023-24. The PM-DevINE initiative, with a budget of Rs 6,600 crore from 2022-23 to 2025-26, is contributing to infrastructure, social development, and livelihood projects.

Emphasizing the Prime Minister's vision of "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat," Dr. Majumdar noted an enhanced allocation of Rs 5,900 crore focusing on SC and ST communities, women, and youth. He also commended Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia for his dynamic role in the ministry, expressing optimism for future collaborations.

Dr. Majumdar announced plans to open 100 branches of the India Post Payment Bank in the NER to boost financial inclusion, making banking services more accessible and reliable. Infrastructure projects such as the Agartala-Akhaura Railway link, Sela Tunnel, Kamakhya Corridor, Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project, and the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline were highlighted as examples of the government's commitment to improving connectivity and socio-economic development.

The webinar concluded with a detailed presentation on various ongoing schemes by MDoNER, including PM-DevINE, NESIDS (Roads), NESIDS (OTRI), and Special Packages and Schemes of the North Eastern Council (NEC).