MP flags underutilisation of funds meant for Northeast, seeks probe, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• Derek O'Brien, TMC MP, raised concerns about underutilisation of funds in the Northeast and West Bengal, urging investigation by the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs.
• DoNER allegedly left 41% of the 2024-25 and 36% of the 2025-26 Budget Estimates unspent, hindering development in the economically vulnerable Northeast region.
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana implementation in the Northeast shows disparities, with only 75,407 households covered out of a target of 3,06,408.
• 25% of sanctioned posts in DoNER are vacant, weakening project monitoring and delaying fund disbursal.
• West Bengal claims ₹53,696 crore in pending disaster-relief dues from the Centre dating back to 2019.

Detailed Insights:

• The underutilisation of funds by DoNER undermines development efforts in the Northeast, a region of economic vulnerability and strategic importance.
• Disparities in the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana across northeastern states highlight challenges in reaching intended beneficiaries.
• Manpower shortages in DoNER, with 25% of posts vacant, weaken project monitoring and delay the disbursal of funds for crucial initiatives.
• Delays in the release of Central funds for disaster relief hinder rehabilitation efforts in disaster-prone areas like West Bengal.
• The Centre's stance on disaster management as primarily a State responsibility is criticized for delaying the release of funds needed for rehabilitation.
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs is urged to investigate the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

Key Concepts Involved:

• DoNER: The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, responsible for the socioeconomic development of the eight states of Northeast India.
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: A central government scheme to provide free electricity through rooftop solar panels.
• Budget Estimates: An estimate of the expected government revenue and expenditure for the upcoming financial year.