Parliament Question: Initiatives to promote North East India

Government of India Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2932 To be answered on Wednesday, August 6, 2025/ Sravana 15, 1947 (Saka) Initiatives to promote North East India 2932. Shri Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal: Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to State: (a) the details of the key initiatives taken by the Government to promote the development of North East India; (b) the funds allocated and support provided for the promotion and execution of these initiatives at the regional level in the North-East during the last five years; (c) the data on number of people benefiting from such initiatives in this time period, and provide details of any plans for expanding this support in the future; and (d) whether the Government has collaborated with any private entity/entities to boost the recognition of North East India`s market economy, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER The Minister of State of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Sukanta Majumdar] (a) The Ministry is implementing following schemes covering various infrastructure, social and livelihood development projects across various sectors viz. Agriculture & Allied, Roads, Health, Tourism, Education, Sports, Handloom & Handicraft, IT/ITeS, Power, etc.(i) North-East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) is a central sector scheme fully funded by the Government of India and is bifurcated into two components: A. NESIDS (Roads) B. NESIDS (Other Than Road Infrastructure) (ii) Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM- DevINE), was announced as a new central sector scheme in the Union Budget 2022-23 with an outlay of Rs 6,600 crore for the four year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26. (iii) Schemes of NEC - A Central Sector scheme named “Schemes of North Eastern Council (NEC)”, fully funded by the Government of India, is under implementation since Tenth Finance Commission period to fill up gaps in overall development of the Region. (iv) Special Development Packages – The Special Packages of Assam i.e. Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC); Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC) & Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC) are being administered by the Ministry of DoNER as per the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed with the MHA. In addition to above, the Ministry, has undertaken the following activities to promote the development of North East India: (I) Rising North East-Investors Summit 2025 was organized on 23rd and 24th May, 2025 in New Delhi. The Summit was intended to promote trade and investment in the North Eastern Region and provide a platform for an immersive dialogue between embassies, the business community, financial institutions, and relevant government stakeholders for forging mutually beneficial partnerships. The Summit was culmination of various activities i.e. 09 roadshows, 06 State roundtables, 02 Ambassadors’ Meet, 02 Bilateral Chambers roundtable, MoU signing ceremony etc. organized by MDoNER for attracting investment in the North Eastern Region. The Summit witnessed the participation from industry leaders, investors etc. from across the country. The focus sectors of the Summit included Tourism and Hospitality, Agro-Food Processing and allied sectors; Textiles, Handloom, and Handicrafts; Healthcare; Education and Skill Development; Information Technology or Information Technology- Enabled Services; Infrastructure and Logistics; Energy; and Entertainment and Sports.Key activities organized during the two day event included Ministerial sessions on focus sectors, Business-to-Government sessions, Business-to-Business meetings, startups and exhibitions of policy and related initiatives taken by the State Government and Central Ministries for investment promotion in the North Eastern Region. The summit drew investment proposal worth Rs. 4.48 lakh crore, through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), letters of intent, and qualified leads from private investors, public sector undertakings, and major industrial conglomerates. (II) Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav 2024 was organized from 6th -8th December 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event witnessed participation of five Chief Ministers and Ministers from three other NER States. The event featured 11 pavilions (8 State pavilions, Eri and Muga Silk pavilions and one GI pavilion) and included artisan exhibitions, buyer-seller meets (40 buyers, 70 sellers), Grameen Haat of 320 Vendors/stalls and 8 Technical sessions, including "Chief Ministers' Panel" on 'Catalyzing North East's progress for a Viksit Bharat."(b& c) Statement showing scheme-wise expenditure of last five years is given below: (Rs in Crore) Schemes 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Sl. No. RE Exp RE Exp RE Exp RE Exp RE Exp Schemes of 1 North East 572.83 572.83 520.21 519.94 666.87 370.22 825.00 787.65 800.00 736.80 Council North East Special Infrastructure 2 1204.24 1204.23 1993.40 1993.36 1459.54 486.94 2489.94 1040.25 1500.00 1462.39 Development Scheme (NESIDS) Prime Minister's Development Initiative for 3 - - - - 400.00 121.19 2174.46 10.56 1394.00 1014.88 North East Region (PM- DevINE) 4 Special Development Package Bodoland Territorial a. 0.00 0.00 3.31 3.31 30.00 6.42 100.00 14.96 32.00 7.76 Council (BTC) Karbi Anglong Autonomous b. 21.55 21.55 67.44 67.44 40.00 1.55 100.00 6.41 100.00 94.99 Territorial Council (KAATC) Dima Hasao Territorial c. 12.45 12.45 0.00 0.00 35.00 5.96 100.00 25.08 70.00 29.73 Council (DHATC) Total 1811.07 1811.06 2584.36 2584.05 2631.41 992.28 5789.4 1884.91 3896 3346.55 (d) Nil.