Dimapur, April 3 (MExN): The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region/-NEC has allocated Rs 3 crore for Nagaland out of the Rs25 crore allocated to the North Eastern States for gap funding to fight the COVID-19 outbreak effectively.
The fund is to be utilized on any activity relating to COVID-19 pandemic, and not covered under existing central packages.
This was informed by Minister of State (I/C) MDoNER, Dr Jitendra Singh during a video conference review meeting with officers of the Ministry, North Eastern Council (NEC) and NEDFI on April 3.
Other north eastern states like Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura also received Rs 3 crore each, Arunachal Pradesh Rs 3.25 crore, and Assam Rs 5 crore while Sikkim was allocated Rs 1.75 crore.
The flexibility of untied funds would enable the states to respond quickly. This fund would be in addition to the funds otherwise allocated by the Ministry of DoNER/NEC to the North Eastern States under the existing schemes, a release from the PIB stated.
The release also stated that the Ministry has also sought projects for strengthening of Health Infrastructure in the NE States under its flagship programme NESIDS. The states have been asked to submit their proposals by April 6. The projects in the health sector would be sanctioned on top priority, it said.
The Minister also said that the lockdown in the NER states is being effectively enforced and the region’s long international border (Approx 5500 km) has been effectively closed.
During the meeting, the Minister was informed that 100% work of the Ministry was on e-Office, making it easier to comply with the directions of government to work from home mode.
Additionally, all officers and staff of the Ministry of DoNER and its organizations & PSUs viz NEC, NEDFi, NEHHDC, NERAMAC, CBTC, and NERCOMP have contributed one day's salary to PM-CARES fund. NEDFi is contributing Rs Two Crore to PM-CARES funds out of their CSR funds, it said.
