NEW DELHI, May 30

In further confirmation of under utilisation of funds by the North Eastern States (NES), at least 12 Central Ministries and Departments have shown significant shortfall in expenditures in the North Eastern Region (NER).

The reasons for declining expenditures: absence of proposals and utilisation certificates from the NES, as the broad reasons for under-utilisation by the Central Ministries.

Faced with the criticism of delay in release of funds, the Ministry Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) on Tuesday, claimed to have made higher disbursement last fiscal, releasing Rs 668.62 crore under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR).

The Minister DoNER is contemplating a study on roadmap for air connectivity in the Northeastern region in consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

TURA

Contrary to reports, the Centre has claimed that per capita income of the North Eastern States have been increasing during the last 15 years. No, the per capital income of the NES has not been on a downward spiral for the past 15 years, said Minister DoNER, Bijoy Krishna Hendique claimed in a Rajya Sabha reply.

In a bid to boost bilateral trade between the North-east and Egypt, the North East Trade Promotion and Development Council (NETPDC) and the Head of Economic and Commercial Bureau of Egyptian Embassy of India, have prepared a draft MoU. The MoU is the outcome of the two-day Business Summit initiated by the DoNER Ministry.

India and Thailand today emphasized the need for early completion of the trilateral highway linking Moreh to Maesot (Thailand) through Bagan in Myanmar. The issue figured at a discussion between Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Korbsak Sabhavasu and Minister of Development of North East Region (DoNER) and Mines, BK Handique here today.

The State Soil Conservation Department has chalked out a plan for controlling soil erosion and managing flash floods in Guwahati city with an estimated cost of Rs 21.25 crore. The project, prioritized by the State planning and Development Department, proposed that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) should fund it under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources in 2009.