In a call that sounded both a reminder and a warning, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang today urged all implementing departments and agencies to pay serious attention to the completion of long-pending projects, some of which have been stalled for over a decade.
Chairing a high-level review meeting to review projects implemented under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the North Eastern Council (NEC) at the Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall in Kohima, Zeliang said the current financial year marks the end of the 15th Finance Commission cycle, making it critical that all funds allocated by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) be utilized efficiently, rather than going unspent.
“Any unutilized funds could impact the funding pattern under the 16th Finance Commission for the upcoming fiscal year,” he cautioned.
The meeting aimed to assess the progress of ongoing projects and address issues related to delayed and incomplete projects. During the meeting, a total of 26 projects categorized as “distressed” under various schemes—namely NESIDS (OTRI), NESIDS (Roads), and NEC—were reviewed.
The Deputy Chief Minister noted that for some projects that could not be completed despite the release of funds, Ministry of DoNER has categorically stated that the State government should either complete the project or foreclose with full refund.
He said for other projects, where implementing departments have committed to completing them within revised timelines, they were directed to strictly adhere to these dates, as they would need to communicate the final completion schedule to the Ministry.
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The review also covered 16 projects under the erstwhile NLCPR (now NESIDS OTRI), spread across seven departments: Law & Justice, Youth Resources & Sports, Industry & Commerce, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), PWD (R&B), School Education, and Health & Family Welfare.
Some of these projects were originally sanctioned as far back as 2003. In addition, five incomplete projects under both NESIDS (Roads) and NEC were identified. The respective departments assured that these would be completed within the newly set deadlines.
Several factors contributing to the delays and incomplete status of the projects were discussed in detail, and various strategies were explored to expedite their completion. The Planning Department, acting as the liaison between the State Government and the Ministry, was urged to ensure timely submission of factual data by the implementing departments to streamline correspondence and save valuable time in coordination with the Ministry.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to fast-track the completion of these vital infrastructure and development projects, recognizing their significant role in the region’s growth and development.
