Increased Allocation of Rs 5,915 crore for DoNER Ministry and Key Measures for Northeast
Agartala, Feb 01, 2025, By Our Correspondent224
The Union Budget 2025, presented in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, has allocated Rs 5,915 crore for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) for FY 2025-26. This marks a significant increase of 47.65 per cent over the Revised Estimates of Rs 4,006 crore for FY 24-25.
Under the modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, the Regional Connectivity Scheme will expand to 120 new destinations, including enhanced connectivity for the northeastern region (NER). The initiative will prioritize smaller airports and helipads in hilly and remote districts, targeting four crore passengers over the next decade.
To enhance energy availability and reliability in the NER, the budget allows an additional 0.5 per cent of GSDP borrowing for states implementing electricity distribution and intra-state transmission augmentation.
In line with the government’s ‘Atmanir Bharta’ initiative in urea production, three dormant urea plants in the eastern region will be reopened. Additionally, a new urea plant with an annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons will be established in Namrup, Assam’s Dibrugarh district, boosting urea availability and improving agricultural productivity in the region.
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana will cover 100 agri-districts, including those in the NER. This initiative focuses on crop diversification, irrigation, storage, and credit access, benefiting 1.7 crore farmers, including those in the northeast.
Under the Mission for ‘Atmanir Bharta’ in Pulses, a six-year program will facilitate the production of tur, urad, and masoor, ensuring remunerative prices and procurement support through NAFED and NCCF. This mission enhances the NER’s role in national pulse production.
India Post will play a crucial role in expanding financial inclusion in remote NER districts, offering services such as micro-enterprise credit, DBT cash transfers, and institutional banking services.
The Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programme will continue to provide nutritional support to over eight crore children, one crore pregnant and lactating women, and about 20 lakh adolescent girls in aspirational districts and the northeast region.
The budget also proposes a special focus on Buddhist tourism circuits in the NER. Additionally, the MUDRA loan for homestays will promote local tourism entrepreneurs, and the PM Research Fellowship scheme will provide increased opportunities for students and researchers from the northeast.
ALso Read : https://tripuranet.com/tnet/budget-will-immensely-help-north-east-india-feels-icc-22036.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawILDyBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRoH0yyzbi9g1NQ7qje2f5RNZe-0wm6Xi_es-l3yUTVT7onlRiZvmOn3IA_aem_LTfBtDlQIxCUK_nowYp2mQ
Bharat Trade Net - Digital Trade Infrastructure will support MSMEs in the NER to integrate with global supply chains. The National Geospatial Mission is expected to contribute to urban planning and rural connectivity in the region, while policy improvements and rankings will benefit northeastern states.
Meanwhile, the Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 will decriminalize regulatory provisions, facilitating ease of doing business in the northeastern region.