Governor Mathur records concern on declining DoNER fund

GANGTOK,: Governor Om Prakash Mathur attended the 72nd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) held at Agartala, Tripura today under the chairmanship of Home minister and NEC chairman Amit Shah.

In his address, the Governor expressed hope that the discussions would address key challenges and accelerate socio-economic development in the region, informs a Raj Bhawan release.

Commending the NEC’s efforts in reducing regional disparities and building critical infrastructure, the Governor emphasized the importance of strategic planning as the NEC approaches its 75th anniversary. He proposed formulating a comprehensive roadmap, titled “Developed North East 2047,” to align with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Mathur also proposed establishing an Ethno Medicine and Tourism Commission under a Public-Private Partnership model to commercialize the region’s rich traditional and herbal medicinal resources. This initiative, he suggested, would promote medical tourism and unlock significant economic opportunities.

On tourism development, the Governor called for significant investments in infrastructure and connectivity. With coordinated efforts, Sikkim’s tourism revenue could potentially increase tenfold by 2047, he said. He highlighted the need to address pressing concerns related to connectivity and infrastructure while integrating Sikkim’s tourist circuits with those of other Northeastern States.

Addressing disaster resilience, the Governor mentioned the October 2023 floods in Sikkim and expressed gratitude for the Government of India’s unwavering support in facilitating recovery efforts. Referring to the Union Finance minister’s commitment in the 2024-25 Budget Speech, he requested the timely approval of proposed funds.

The Governor expressed gratitude to the Central government for entrusting the maintenance of National Highway 10 to NHIDCL. He also expressed concern over damages to NH-10 and other key roads due to heavy rains, which have severely affected Sikkim’s economy. He urged the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the NEC to prioritize road maintenance, upgrade essential routes and fast-track alternative highway projects.

Further, the Governor raised concerns regarding the suspension of flight operations at Greenfield Airport at Pakyong and sought the early intervention of the Government of India to address the air connectivity issue.

The Governor noted the decline in funds allocated to Sikkim by the Ministry of DoNER and the NEC, compounded by the exhaustion of funds under the 15th Finance Commission. He requested the restoration of annual allocations, re-assessment of allocation criteria, and additional funding for critical projects, noting the relatively low allocation for Sikkim compared to other Northeastern States.

He emphasized the need to improve telecommunication connectivity through collaboration between the Ministry of DoNER and the Department of Telecommunications, considering its critical role in the region’s holistic development. The Governor called for collective and committed efforts to realize the vision of a Developed North East by 2047, which he said would greatly contribute to Viksit Bharat @2047.

The Governor also expressed his gratitude for the Central government’s consistent efforts to promote development in the North Eastern States and appreciated Prime Minister’s emphasis on the North East India as a vital part of the nation. The Governor also lauded the DoNER Ministry and NEC for formulating a comprehensive North East Region Vision 2047, which outlines a progressive roadmap for the region's development and described it as a significant achievement.

The 72nd Plenary Meeting of the NEC was also attended by DoNER minister and NEC vice chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of State for DoNER Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Governors and Chief Ministers of NE States and NEC members.