The Government’s fully funded PM-DevINE scheme, announced in the 2022-23 Union Budget, supports North-East infrastructure and social projects aligned with PM GatiShakti, generating youth and women’s livelihoods while addressing sector gaps. Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 12.10.2022. Revised guidelines are essential due to restructuring MDoNER’s schemes and aligning with recent Department of Expenditure directives. Earlier guidelines were circulated on 29.08.2022.

Effective from 12.10.2022, these guidelines govern all PM-DevINE projects. Actions under previous guidelines (29.08.2022) also subject to the new guidelines from 12.10.2022, pending Competent Authority’s approval for resolving any issues.”

Under ‘PM-DevINE‘, all eight North Eastern Indian states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura will be covered. This scheme will complement existing Government of India and State Government initiatives, avoiding duplication by supporting projects not covered elsewhere. MDoNER will oversee project selection, approval, and monitoring in consultation with State Governments, NEC, and concerned Central Ministries, with implementation through NEC or Central Ministries/agencies. The guidelines outline the process, including project identification, selection, DPR preparation, sanction, fund release, monitoring, and completion. The scheme’s ‘Competent Authority’ is the Minister, MDoNER, unless specified otherwise.

The objectives of “PM-DevINE” align with the Ministry of DoNER’s vision of accelerating sustainable development in the North Eastern Region to ensure improved living standards for its citizens. These goals encompass rapid and comprehensive growth through infrastructure and social projects, promoting youth and women’s livelihoods, and addressing developmental gaps across sectors.

An Empowered Inter-Ministerial Committee (EIMC) will be established, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. This committee will include representatives from pertinent line Ministries, the North Eastern Council, and other relevant entities.

The Empowered Inter-Ministerial Committee (EIMC) is tasked with various functions within the scope of PM-DevINE:

Firstly, it assesses initial project proposals based on quality, viability, and socio-economic impact, working alongside representatives from relevant Indian Government Ministries/Departments and State Governments. It then recommends project selection from among these proposals.

Secondly, it evaluates final project proposals received from State Level Empowered Committees (SLECs), incorporating feedback from central line Ministries/Departments. It provides suitable recommendations for approval by the Competent Authority.

Additionally, the EIMC proposes effective monitoring and evaluation methods, which may involve on-site inspections through third-party agencies. It oversees project progress through NEC/SLEC/Central Agencies, ensuring accountability.

The committee also devises mechanisms for the operation and maintenance of PM-DevINE projects, aiming to ensure their sustainability.

Lastly, the EIMC addresses any issues forwarded by NEC or SLEC regarding project implementation challenges or guideline clarifications. It offers recommendations, potentially suggesting minor adjustments to Scheme provisions to alleviate difficulties.

EIMC will meet as frequently as needed, but at least once in three months. EIMC can meet physically, virtually or in hybrid mode, at New Delhi or at any other place in the NER.

State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC)

The State Governments will establish a State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC) led by the Chief Secretary, with the Secretary of Planning as the Convenor. It will include Finance and relevant Secretaries from State Government Departments, as well as necessary technical experts. The NEC will have representation through its Planning Adviser or delegate. The Ministry of DoNER will be represented by the Senior Economic Adviser/Economic Adviser/Joint Secretary responsible for PM-DevINE, along with the Financial Adviser or their representative. External representatives from reputable institutions may also be invited to SLEC meetings.

The functions of the SLEC encompass several aspects, including reviewing and prioritizing preliminary project proposals for PM-DevINE, ensuring alignment with guidelines, approving DPRs/techno-economic evaluations, monitoring project implementation, enhancing project management systems, establishing effective Operation and Maintenance mechanisms, addressing implementation issues, and proposing modifications if required.

SLEC meetings will be held as necessary, at least once every three months, and can be conducted in physical, virtual, or hybrid formats.