The Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) underwent crucial revisions recently to further enhance the development of North-East India. The updates aim to address the area’s distinct needs and ambitions effectively, overseeing all PM-DevINE projects starting 12th October 2022. In addition, the Ministry of Development for the North Eastern Region (MDoNER) introduced new Scheme Guidelines for the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), approved by the Cabinet for the 15th Finance Commission’s balance period from 2022 to 2026.
Revised Guidelines of the PM-DevINE Scheme
Under the PM-DevINE scheme, MDoNER will manage project selection, approval, and monitoring, collaborating with state governments, the North Eastern Council (NEC), and relevant central ministries. This collaboration includes project identification, selection, detailed project report (DPR) preparation, sanction, fund release, monitoring, and completion. Furthermore, the program sees the creation of the Empowered Inter-Ministerial Committee (EIMC) and the State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC) to supervise functions and execute project review and approval respectively.
Selection Criteria for Projects in PM-DevINE
The new guidelines state that North Eastern states need to establish Gati Shakti implementation structures like Empowered Group of Secretaries, Network Planning Group, and Technical Support Unit. Additionally, they must notify a State Logistics Policy and update Gati Shakti National Master Plan data layers. States that fail to meet these standards won’t qualify for future PM-DevINE project approvals beginning from the fiscal year 2023-24.
Background and Objectives of PM-DevINE
Launched as part of the Union Budget 2022-23, the Central Sector’s PM-DevINE scheme was ratified on 12th October 2022. The project ensures 100% central funding for infrastructural development in agreement with the spirit of PM GatiShakti, endorsing seamless connectivity across the North-East Region (NER). Additionally, the scheme aims to stimulate social development projects catering to the unique needs and challenges of NER, as well as generate livelihood opportunities especially for the region’s youth and women.
Ineligible Projects under PM-DEVINE
Projects offering individual long-term benefits or having Direct Benefit Transfer elements are ineligible under PM-DevINE. Administrative building projects for government offices/agencies or institutional need projects, along with projects covered by other MDoNER initiatives, also do not fall under the scheme’s ambit.
Details and Intentions of NESIDS
NESIDS, fully funded by the central sector, has been approved an outlay of Rs. 8139.50 crore for 2022-23 to 2025-26. The scheme now comprises of two components: NESIDS-Road and NESIDS-Other Than Road Infrastructure (OTRI) after merging the former North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS) with NESIDS-Road. NESIDS aims to encourage infrastructure growth, focusing on connectivity across identified sectors in the North-Eastern States.
Additional Initiatives for North-East Development
Various initiatives underscore the North Eastern Region’s progress. Significant among these are the North Eastern Council (NEC) Connectivity Projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project (Myanmar) and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Corridor. Other notable initiatives include Bharatmala Pariyojana’s involvement in improving 5,301 km of road stretches in NER, and the inclusion of North-East as a priority area under RCS-UDAN to make flying more affordable. The constant evolution and initiation of such programs reflect the ongoing commitment towards North-East India’s development.