Cabinet approves 30 per cent of North-Eastern Council's allocation for new projects

Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the allocation of 30 per cent of the North-Eastern Council's (NEC's) allocation for new projects under the existing "Schemes of North Eastern Council". This allocation will help in focused development of deprived areas, neglected sections of society and emerging priority sectors.

The allocation was approved during a cabinet meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The move will benefit marginalized and vulnerable groups of people in backward and neglected areas of the north-eastern States. The balance allocation shall be bifurcated in the existing two components (State component-60% and Central component-40%).

Other approvals by the Cabinet includes

** It revised the NEC guidelines for simplification of appraisal and approval mechanism.

** Allowing projects under State component, up to 25% of each State's normative allocation, for sectors not covered in the mandate of NEC, but which are considered important as per locally felt needs as per the recommendations of the State Governments.

The projects under the existing "Schemes of NEC" will accrue socio-economic benefits to the marginalized and vulnerable groups of people in backward and neglected areas of the North Eastern States. It will lead to faster decision making and quick implementation of the projects.

Besides, the Cabinet also approved the extension of Productivity-Linked Reward Scheme for the employees and workers of the Major Port Trust and Dock Labour Board for the period beyond 2017-18. The Scheme will annually benefit over 28 thousand workers. The annual estimated outgo will be Rs46 crore.

Productivity Linked Reward will be calculated on the existing wage ceiling for calculation of Bonus at Rs7000 per month. This Scheme is fostering better industrial relationships and congenial work atmosphere in the Port Sector, apart from stimulating better productivity.