(a) whether the Government has received memorandum dated 18 December, 2004 from the North East MP Forum which was subsequently reminded on 13 May, 2005 on development issues concerning North East;
(b) if so, the details in this regard; and
(c) the action taken by the Government on various points raised in the memorandum, issue-wise?
MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI P.R. KYNDIAH)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The Memorandum contained various developmental issues pertaining to sectors such as Road, Railways, Air Connectivity, Information Technology, Water Resources, Industrial Policy, Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), Employment, Prime Minister’s Package etc.
(c) The information in respect of the issues raised in the Memorandum is annexed.
ANNEXURE
Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3954 for answer on 23rd August, 2005 regarding Development Work in NE by Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma.
Sl.No. Sector Remarks
1. Road The connectivity of the State Capitals of the North Eastern Region with four lane National Highways is included either in the East-West Corridor under NHDP, NHDP-III or Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP) in the North Eastern Region. The SARDP also includes two laning of National Highways to important border points. There is no proposal for additional new four lane bridge over river Brahmaputra and Barak. However, a four lane bridge is under construction across Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel and existing Saraighat bridge near Guwahati is being four laned.
2. Railways Jiribam-Imphal and Kumarghat-Agartala new line projects and Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam gauge conversion have recently been declared as National Projects. Additional funds over and above the given budgetary support will be provided so as to complete these three projects by March 2010, March 2007 and March 2009 respectively. The North East Frontier Railway Zone already exists for the North Eastern Region.
3. Air Guwahati Airport is a fully functional International Airport for the present international operations. Airports Authority of India (AAI) has completed development works for A-320/B-737-800 type of aircraft at Lilabari, Imphal, Agartala, Dimapur and Tezpur Airports. The present facilities available at Guwahati Airport are adequate for setting up a regional hub of domestic airlines. The Indian Airlines and the private operator operate a total of 4 daily services between Guwahati and Delhi. Indian Airlines is presently operating a twice-weekly Kolkata-Guwahati-Bangkok flight.
4. Telecommunications The following steps have been taken by Department of Telecommunications to enhance the telecom facilities in the North Eastern Region:
(a) Upgradation of National Internet Backbone at Guwahati (b) Installation of separate Server at Guwahati to facilitate billing and activation (c) Increasing of Base Tranceiving Stations to cover all National Highways and remote areas (d) Enlargement of Wireless in Local Loop network to cover inaccessible remote areas including river islands in the Region.
5. Waterways Government of India had set up Brahmaputra Board for preparation of Master Plans to control floods, bank erosion and improvement of drainage in Brahmaputra and Barak valleys and also give due regard to the development and utilization of the water resources for irrigation, hydropower, navigation and other beneficial use. Accordingly, the Brahmaputra Board undertook preparation of Master Plan and 34 such Master Plans prepared by the Board and approved by the Government of India have been sent to the State government for implementation.
6. Power The Ministry of Power has taken necessary action to ensure early implementation of mega projects for which DPRs have been prepared. The power projects which are under active consideration are as under:
(a) Tipaimukh Hydro Electric (Multipurpose) Project (b) Kameng Hydro Electric Project (600 MW) (c) Subansiri Lower (2000 MW) (d) Turial Hydro Power Project (60 MW) (e) Lakwa WHRU, 38 MW (f) Namrup Extension TPP (Gas Based) 100 MW (g) Bongaigaon TPS (h) Garo Hills (3x120 MW)
7. Industrial Policy Draft Cabinet Note for revision of North East Industrial Policy for making package more attractive for investors has been circulated to various Ministries/ Departments for comments.
8. NLCPR and 10% Budgetary Support The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has forwarded its request for enhancement of its budgetary allocation to Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission.
9. Economic Development Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) in core infrastructure areas been recognized as a major tool of development. In the recent months, the Ministry of DoNER has started a major initiative for integrated development of the NE Region through International Cooperation. This includes development of ‘Vision Documents’ in core sectors including Roads, International Trade, Urban Development by Asian Development Bank and Natural Resources & Water Management by the World Bank.
10. Employment Ministry of Urban Employment & Poverty Alleviation is implementing an employment oriented Centrally Sponsored urban poverty alleviation programme namely Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) on all India basis, including in the North Eastern Region w.e.f. 1.12.1997.
11. Prime Minister’s Package Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is monitoring the implementation of the socio-economic packages announced by the Prime Minister in Assam and Manipur recently
12. Representation of North East The issue has been forwarded to the Planning Commission for in the national level bodies further necessary action at their end. like Planning Commission
13. Institutional Support The Minister, for Human Resource Development has announced on 14-16 June, 2004 the setting up of an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in the North Eastern Region.