DoNER should review existing monitoring mechanism, says Parliamentary Committee
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 10
While the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme is perceived as having a tremendous role to play in developing infrastructure of the Northeast region to ensure its economic sustainability, yet its poor implementation has robbed it of its potential to finance infrastructure projects for the priority sectors like road & bridges, power, water supply, education, health, tourism and sports.
In this regard, a report prepared by the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs, NE region was of the considered view that the Ministry of DoNER, as co-ordinator and facilitator must resolve issues concerning timely implementation of projects. For this, Ministry of DoNER needs to review the existing monitoring mechanism, which appears to be only on papers, to ensure it to be more result oriented.
According to the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee, the DoNER Ministry should also persuade all the State Governments in NE to co-operate in the implementation of NLCPR Schemes in the interest of economic development of the region. It may be mentioned that the broad objective of the NLCPR scheme is to ensure speedy development of infrastructure in the North Eastern Region by increasing the flow of finance for specific infrastructure projects/schemes in the region.
Information available with The Morung Express revealed that since its inception in April, 1998 to December 31, 2011, 1328 projects have been sanctioned for implementation under the NSCPR Scheme and Fifty-two (52) projects have been sanctioned under Special BTC Package. The total approved cost of these projects is Rs. 11280.99 crore. Rs. 8072.82 crore has been released for implementation of these projects.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs, has expressed its displeasure to observe that till 31st March, 2012 a total of 1337.00 infrastructure projects worth Rs. 10863.29 crore were approved out of which only 645 projects worth Rs. 3531.00 have been completed which is just 48.24 per cent. Further, during the last three years 356 projects have been sanctioned but out of those, only one projects has been completed, 64 projects were due for 31 completion and 63 projects have been delayed. The Committee further observes that several projects taken up since 1998-99 under NLCPR are lagging behind.
The Ministry concerned has reportedly given the reason that the problem is the delay in utilization and transfer of funds to implementing agencies by the State Governments. It is argued by officials that in most cases, funds were not utilized in prescribed time limit of 12 months. Moreover, there is slow physical progress of the works than the targets given in Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
It was further stated by the Ministry officials that instances of delay in acquiring land for projects are also frequent. Law & order situation, insurgency problem, delay in awarding the work/tenders are some other reasons for slow progress in completion of projects. The Parliamentary Committee is however not in agreement with the above argument put forth for the delay in completion of projects under NLCPR.
