The North Eastern Council (NEC) has released Rs 42.63 crore for development projects across the Northeast, with funding directed towards infrastructure, education, technology, cultural facilities, livelihoods and community projects, according to a statement issued by the council. The releases were made during September and covered state governments as well as regional institutions and agencies.
Of the total amount, Rs 35.21 crore was allocated to the northeastern states, while Rs 7.42 crore went to regional institutions and agencies for capacity building, infrastructure and technology initiatives. The institutional allocation included Rs 2.88 crore for the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council, Rs 2.35 crore for the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation and Rs 1.24 crore for the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach in Shillong.
The technology allocation will support remote school science, technology, engineering and mathematics laboratories. In Meghalaya, funds were also released to the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited, National Institute of Technology Shillong, Indian Institute of Management Shillong, North Eastern Hill University and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre.
Nagaland received Rs 11.92 crore, the largest state allocation listed in the NEC statement. The funds will support cluster-based coffee value chain development and a cultural activity complex at Pfutseromi village for the Chakhesang tribe. Mizoram received Rs 6.29 crore for an ongoing auditorium project at Bethel Veng in Champhai, cultural tourism infrastructure at Vangchhia, Mizo ginger cultivation, IT-based mineral mapping and community infrastructure in Siaha district.
Assam received Rs 4.42 crore for student hostels at Bineswar Brahma Engineering College in Kokrajhar and initiatives involving the Singpho community in Tinsukia. Sikkim received Rs 4.17 crore for town CCTV surveillance and a multi-purpose hall at Government Degree College, Rhenock.
In Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 3.4 crore was released for a nursing hostel at District Hospital, Yingkiong, the Acheso tourism complex in Dibang Valley and the Ziro Signature View Point. Tripura received instalments for ongoing projects, including a model haat for tribal youth, upgrades to Khumulwng Eco-Park and programmes linked to the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
Manipur received instalments for the documentation of medicinal plants, a museum-cum-library at the Tribal Research Institute and river debris collection units. The projects span public facilities, tourism infrastructure, education support, local economic activity and community-level services across the region.
The NEC also reported the completion and closure of 14 major infrastructure projects during September. According to its statement, these projects had a combined value of Rs 45.48 crore. The latest release therefore combines fresh funding for ongoing and new initiatives with the formal closure of projects already completed, although the statement did not provide project-wise completion dates or implementation timelines.
