Cabinet unveils ₹6600 crore plan for development of Northeast

 Cabinet unveils ₹6600 crore plan for development of Northeast 

PM-DIVine will function as a Central Sector Scheme which will be 100% fund provided by the Central Government. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) will implement this scheme. (AFP) 

The primary focus of the scheme will be to create infrastructure, support industries, social development projects and livelihood activities for youth and women. 

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Rs 6600 crore scheme for the development of North-Eastern states of India. The Pradhan Mantri Vikas Pahal (PM-Divine) scheme for the North Eastern Region will be applicable for the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26. 

PM-DIVine will function as a Central Sector Scheme which will be 100% fund provided by the Central Government. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) will implement this scheme. 

According to a press release by the Press Information Bureau, the primary focus of the scheme will be to "build infrastructure, support industries, social development projects and create livelihood activities for youth and women". The infrastructure projects will be funded in line with the priorities set under the PM Gati Shakti programme. 

Considering the lack of satisfactory progress in the sector since independence, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur was of the view that the new scheme would help bridge the existing growth gap in the sector. 

The new scheme will also provide a large amount for major infrastructure development projects. For example, existing schemes project an average of about Rs 12 crore. The PM-Divine project will provide support to infrastructure and social development projects that require large outlays.