Lok Sabha Question No. 1555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Schemes for Development in NER
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Rebati Tripura

## Government of India Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1555

To be answered on Wednesday, February 10, 2021/Magha 21, 1942 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## Schemes for Development of NER

## 1555.  SHRI REBATI TRIPURA:

Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NORTH  EASTERN  REGION  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  taken  any  special  initiatives  to  ensure industrialization  in  the  tribal/  backward  sub-regions/areas  of  North-Eastern  Region (NER) including in Tripura by way of setting up of industry for economic development and generation of employment in that area;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any plans/schemes for development of NER;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with the  funds  allocated/released and  utilized during the last three years and the current year in NER; and
- (e) the other steps taken by the Government to boost trade in NER?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Jitendra Singh]

- (a) & (b)  To promote industrialization  in NE States and to boost employment and economic development, a new Scheme namely North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS), 2017  has come into force w.e.f. 01.04.2017 for a period of five years.  Besides,  the  earlier  schemes  of  North  East  Industrial  and  Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP), 2007 and Freight Subsidy Scheme, 2013 are continuing for committed number of years.  Some recent schemes such as North East Venture

Fund,  Stand  Up  India  Scheme,  Start  Up  India,  Pradhan  Mantri  Mudra  Yojana, enhancement  of  Import  Duty  to  25%  on  Bamboo  Sticks  for  Agarbattis  will  aid industrialization in the region, including Tripura.  Agartala-Akhaura(Bangladesh) new Rail  Link,  completion  of  2-lane  Agartala-Sabroom  highway,  Feni  bridge  project connecting Chattogram Port in Bangladesh, Rail link to Sabroom, Inland Waterway connectivity  though  river  Gomati  with  Bangladesh,  Agro  Based  Food  Processing SEZ at Paschim Jalefa, Sabroom, South Tripura District, will immensely benefit the backward and tribal regions of Tripura.

- (c)  &  (d)      Yes  Sir.      The  Government  has  initiated  and  implemented  several initiatives  to  improve  air,  rail,  road  and  inland  waterways  connectivity;  undertaken important projects such as Bio-Refinery at Numaligarh, Zoram Mega Food Park at Mizoram, AIIMS at Guwathi etc. The details of the funds allocated/ released/utilized during the last three years and current year in NER, are as under:

| (Rs. in crore)   | (Rs. in crore)   | (Rs. in crore)   | (Rs. in crore)     | (Rs. in crore)         |
|------------------|------------------|------------------|--------------------|------------------------|
| Year             | Budget Estimate  | Revised Estimate | Actual Expenditure | Expenditure as % of RE |
| 47,994.88        | 47,087.95        | 46,054.80        | 97.81              | 2018-19                |
| 59,369.90        | 53,374.19        | 48,533.81        | 90.93              | 2019-20*               |
| 60,112.11        | 51,270.90        | 32,644.79*       | 63.67              | 2020-21                |
| 68,020.24        | -                | -                | -                  | 2021-22                |

* Data shown for actual expenditure relates to 52 Ministries  which have provided expenditure figures against the total BE upto 31.12.2020

- (e)      To  boost  trade  in  NER,  Border  Trade  Infrastructure,  i.e.,    Integrated  Check Posts (ICP), Land Customs Station (LCS) and Border Haats improvement has been undertaken.    Niryat  Bandhu Scheme is  being implemented for mentoring of new and  potential  exporter  on  the  intricacies  of  foreign  trade  counseling,  training  and outreach  programmes  in  the  country,  including  North  East.    Under  the  export promotion  Schemes,  relaxation  in  conditions  relating  to  exports  performance  is provided under the   'Status Holder' Scheme and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme.  Import of various additional  products has now been  allowed by Government of Bangladesh through certain Land Custom Stations along the India Bangladesh Border, vide notification dated 17.07.2018.  This covers products such as raw rubber, rice, broom etc. from Tripura.

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