Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state:-

(a)    the number of development projects in the North East funded by the Central Government which have been pending beyond the stipulated period for more than three years, less than three years but more than one year and others;

(b)    the main reasons for such delays;

(c)    the cost escalation caused due to delays; and

(d)    the steps taken/proposed to be taken to expedite the completion of delayed projects?

ANSWER

MINISTER, MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

(SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)

(a) The number of development projects in the North East funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) under Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme and those funded under North Eastern Council (NEC) Schemes, which have been pending beyond the stipulated period for more than three year, less than three years but more than one year and less than one year respectively are 21, 114 and 60. Details are indicated in a statement annexed.

(b) Most of the projects are implemented by the State Governments. The main reasons for delay, among others, are shorter working period because of long rainy season in the North East, delay in release of funds by the State Governments to the implementing agencies, law and order problems and limitations of technical and professional expertise.

(c) As a policy, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region does not fund cost escalation due to time overrun in case of projects under NLCPR which, if any, is borne by the concerned State Governments. In case of NEC funded projects, cost escalation is sanctioned by the competent authority.

(d) In order to expedite implementation of these projects the State Governments have been advised to ensure timely release of funds to the implementing agencies and also review the progress on a quarterly basis at the level of Chief Secretary. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and North Eastern Council are constantly monitoring the progress of implementation of projects in meetings held at various levels. Recently, a system of review of NLCPR Projects through video conference with officials of the State Governments has been started. In these review meetings, implementation problems are identified and strategies to overcome such problems are chalked out. Simultaneously, efforts are on to upgrade the technical and professional capacities of the State Government officials under the Capacity Building Scheme of DoNER.

ANNEXURE

Statement referred to reply Part (a) of Rajya Sabha Question No. 3858 for answer on 10.05.2007 regarding “Pending Projects in NER,” by Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

 PENDING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN NER