February 17, 2002

    As part of the continuing effort for development of housing and urban infrastructure in North-Eastern States including Sikkim, 14 projects costing more than Rs.83.85 crores, were sanctioned for the North East region by the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation.

    The projects sanctioned will strengthen the water supply and drainage systems, facilitate eco-friendly disposal of garbage, housing sector, provide new water supply schemes and market infrastructure in the region. The Schemes will be executed by the State Governments and National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC).

    This initiative is among the first concrete steps to utilize the Non-Lapsable Pool created by the Government for the development of housing and urban infrastructure in North-Eastern States.

    A Task Force headed by the Minister for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation has been set up in the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation to deal with all cases relating to the development of North-Eastern States. The Task Force scrutinizes all proposals and provides necessary guidelines to the State Governments for speedy clearance of the programme. The Task Force holds separate meetings with all the State Governments to finalize the proposals for utilization of money under the Non-Lapsable Fund. All sanctioned proposals are expected to be executed in a time bound manner.