GUWAHATI:
The funds released by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) under the Non-Lapsable Pool of Central Resources (NLPCR) has remained unspent in eight Northeast states for the past five years. Moreover, the state governments could not produce utilisation certificates (UCs) to the ministry to the tune of Rs 933.37 crore for 384 projects, the ministry report said, on May 6.
According to the official figure of the DoNER ministry, a total of Rs 5,258.53 crore has been released to eight states for the implementation of 932 projects from 2017-18 fiscal to 2021-22 fiscal. But the states could utilise Rs 4,972.24 crore in 1,053 projects. The eight states have a total of Rs 1,899.49 crore unspent funds for 706 projects.
In Arunachal Pradesh, of the Rs 616 crore released for the implementation of 136 projects, the state has utilised Rs 488.77 crore for 122 projects, while Rs 303.86 crore for 98 projects remains unspent. The state government has yet to submit a utilisation certificate (UC) for Rs 97.53 crore for 36 projects.
In Assam, of the Rs 1,561.11 crore released for implementation of 234 projects, Rs 15,48.15 crore has been utilised for 374 projects, however, Rs 670.48 crore for 287 projects remains unutilised till date. The state government can not produce UCs for Rs 456.55 crore meant for 196 projects in the state.
In Manipur, of the Rs 962.27 crore released for 174 projects, Rs 762.96 crore has been spent for 106 projects, however, Rs 339.95 crores remains as unutilised funds meant for 98 projects. The state government is yet to submit UCs for Rs 152.54 crore meant for 50 projects across the state.
In Meghalaya, of the Rs 437.42 crore released for the implementation of 57 projects, Rs 539.53 crore has been utilised for 84 projects, but Rs 87.47 crore remains unspent for 49 projects in the state. The state government is yet to submit Rs 28.31 crore UCs for 14 projects across the state.
In Nagaland, of the Rs 328.22 crore released for the implementation of 82 projects, Rs 282.18 crore has been spent in 78 projects, however, Rs 145.04 crore remains unspent for 55 projects. The state government is yet to submit UCs for Rs 48.48 crore for 28 projects.
In Mizoram, of Rs 622.11 crore released for the implementation of 122 projects, Rs 568.05 crore has been spent for 107 projects, however, Rs Rs 174.16 crore remains as unutilised fund for 51 projects across the state. The state government has also failed to submit UCs for Rs 66.74 crore for 33 projects.
In Tripura, of the Rs 269.04 crore released for implementation of 41 projects, the state could implement Rs 349.84 crore for 61 projects, however, Rs 89.68 crore remains unspent for 34 projects. The state could not submit UCs for Rs 57.18 crores for 14 projects.
In Sikkim also, of the Rs 482.36 crore released for the implementation of 86 projects, the state could utilise Rs 432.76 crore for 121 projects, however, Rs 88.44 crore remains unspent for 34 projects. The state government is yet to submit UCs for Rs 25.76 crore for 14 projects.
The delay in implementation of projects, unspent funds and non-submission of UCs have led to decreases in budget allocation to the ministry of DoNER. In 2022-23, the ministry has seen a 5 per cent increase in allocation from the revised estimates of 2021-22. The ministry has been allocated Rs 2,800 crore which will be used for various development schemes, such as the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme and North East Road Sector Development Scheme.
The Standing Committee on Home Affairs noted that the amount allocated at the Union Budget in 2022-23 (Rs 660 crore) was 17 per cent less than the demand by the ministry (Rs 794 crore).
The Committee observed that this may severely affect the implementation of several projects and schemes that require capital outlay. It recommended the ministry to take up this matter with the finance ministry and demand additional assistance at the revised stage of the 2022-23 financial year.
Since 2011-12 (barring 2016-17), the DoNER has not been able to utilise the funds allocated to it at the budgeted stage. In 2020-21, fund utilisation in the case of the North East Road Sector Development Scheme was 52%, whereas only 34% of funds were utilised under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (for infrastructure projects relating to water supply, power, connectivity, social infrastructure). Key reasons for underspending highlighted by the Ministry include late receipt of project proposals and non-receipt of utilisation certificates from state governments.
As the DoNER ministry does not have its own line department, it has to depend on the administrative strength of the states for the implementation of projects.