Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Nagaland, S. Supongmeren Jamir, has summitted suggestions and proposals during the meeting of the Consultative Committee, Ministry of DoNER, to discuss “New Development Framework for the North-East”, held at New Delhi, on 4th December 2024. The MP stated that the following suggestions were for consideration to address the critical development challenges, unlock economic potential, and enhance regional growth in the North East region.

1. Enhancing Budget Allocation for NEC: Jamir pointed out that the limited fund allocation to the North Eastern Council (NEC) restricts the execution of major infrastructure projects crucial for economic development and requested for increasing the budget allocation to enable the Council to address the regional aspirations and improve connectivity, infrastructure, and socio-economic outcomes across the North East.
2. Increased Advance Fund Release for DoNER Projects: The MP said that the current policy of releasing 25% of funds upon issuance of the work order poses challenges for contractors in the NE due to difficulties in mobilizing resources and obtaining bank loans. He suggested release of 50% of the funds at the time of sanction and the remaining 50% to be disbursed upon completion and submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs).
3. Coordination and Monitoring of the 10% Gross Budgetary Support (GBS): Jamir said that the policy of the Government of India that requires non-exempted Central Ministries and Departments to spend at least 10% of their Gross Budgetary Support on the NER is not effective. He suggested a system whereby unspent money under this category is properly accounted by Ministries in a transparent manner. Moreover, there is no system of equitable allocation of GBS among NE states. A mechanism should be developed to ensure this in the interest of equitable development of the NER states, the MP stated.
4. Declaration of Foothill Road as a National Highway: Jamir highlighted the immense potential of the proposed 320.25 km Foothill Road in Nagaland, connecting strategic locations and bordering Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and requested that the Ministry recommend its approval to the PM to promote regional connectivity and economic growth.
5. Completion of Dimapur Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex: Jamir sought for the early completion of the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex in Dimapur, with an estimated cost of Rs135 core is critical for promoting sports and youth engagement.
6. Rotational Hosting of NEC Plenaries: The MP suggested that the NEC Plenary be hosted rotationally by each of the North Eastern States.
7. Addressing Financial Constraints of Nagaland: The MP sought to prioritize and expedite approvals for submitted projects to bridge the development deficit and drive progress in the State.
8. Development of Year-Round Tourism Circuits: Jamir highlighted the pressing need to position Nagaland as a year-round destination rather than limiting tourist activity predominantly to the annual Hornbill Festival.
   1. Eco-Tourism Circuit Development: Financial assistance and technical expertise are sought for the development of eco-tourism circuits connecting unexplored destinations such as Dzükou Valley, Kapamodzu Peak, Shilloi Lake, Pangti Village, and Mount Saramati. These efforts will help distribute tourist activity across the State, fostering off-season tourism and reducing the current reliance on the annual Hornbill Festival.
   2. Cultural and Historical Tourism Initiatives: Support is requested for establishing cultural hubs that showcase and promote traditional Naga art, music, dances, and cuisines. Locations with significant cultural and historical importance, such as Longwa Village, Ruzhazo Village, Khonoma Village and Kohima War Cemetery can be developed to provide immersive cultural experiences for visitors.
9. Disaster Resilience and Mitigation: The MP underscores the critical need to invest in infrastructure that is designed to be disaster-resilient including reinforcing residential, commercial, and institutional structures to withstand disaster impacts. Furthermore, critical transportation networks, particularly roads connecting major urban centers and remote rural areas, demand focused attention, he stated.
10. Digital Infrastructure Development: Empowering Growth Through Connectivity and Infrastructure

The MP suggested establishing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services to leverage the State’s workforce, reduce migration, and foster income growth. To achieve this, funding is essential for developing high-speed internet, mobile towers, and fully-equipped office spaces to support the establishment of BPOs and IT centers, he stated.