PM-DevINE Revised Guidelines For North East Development Initiative, Empower Committees & Streamline Projects

The Government's fully funded PM-DevINE scheme, introduced in the 2022-23 Union Budget, aims to bolster North-Eastern infrastructure and social projects in line with PM GatiShakti. This initiative generates employment for youth and women while addressing sectoral gaps. The Union Cabinet endorsed the scheme on 12.10.2022. Revised guidelines are necessary due to MDoNER scheme restructuring and alignment with recent Department of Expenditure directives. Previous guidelines from 29.08.2022 continue under new guidelines from 12.10.2022, pending Competent Authority approval for resolution.

The scheme covers all eight North Eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. It complements existing government initiatives, avoiding duplication. MDoNER oversees project selection, approval, and monitoring with input from State Governments, NEC, and Central Ministries, implemented through NEC or Central Ministries/agencies. The process includes project identification, DPR preparation, sanction, fund release, monitoring, and completion. The Minister, MDoNER, serves as the 'Competent Authority'.

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PM-DevINE's objectives align with DoNER Ministry's vision for sustainable development, encompassing growth via infrastructure and social projects, empowering youth and women, and bridging developmental gaps.

An Empowered Inter-Ministerial Committee (EIMC) is established, led by the DoNER Ministry Secretary. It assesses project proposals, recommends selection, evaluates final proposals, monitors progress, and addresses issues for smooth implementation.

The State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC), headed by the Chief Secretary, oversees project alignment with guidelines, DPR approval, implementation monitoring, and addressing issues.

The scheme's approved outlay for 2022-23 to 2025-26 is Rs. 6,600 crore. States must adhere to GatiShakti mechanisms for project selection. Projects range from Rs. 20 crore to Rs. 500 crore, excluding certain types. O&M costs are included for the first four years.

MDoNER shares proposals with relevant departments for comments within 2 weeks. Monitoring adheres to Finance Ministry's directives, with State Governments and SLECs playing pivotal roles. Technology adoption, third-party monitoring, and IT/Space tech use are encouraged.

In summary, the PM-DevINE scheme supports North-Eastern development through infrastructure and social projects, involving an empowered committee, state-level committees, and a robust monitoring system.