AIZAWL: Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Paban Singh Ghatowar on Wednesday expressed grave concern over projects funded by his ministry in Mizoram which had been delayed for four to five years, 14 years in the case of Falkawn Referral Hospital.
The Union Minister, who was on his maiden visit to Mizoram, said his main purpose of visit was to review the implementation of projects under non-lapsable pool of central resources (NLPCR) and North Eastern Council.
” The DoNER ministry has so far sanctioned 150 projects worth almost Rs 895 crore, of which only 64 projects amounting to about Rs 391 crore have been completed.
While some projects are in the process of completion, some projects have been delayed for four to five years, ” he stated.
” In case of Falkawn Referral Hospital, the delay is 14, ” he added.
He also mentioned that the Aizawl Greater Water Supply Scheme phase-II, for which the ministry had already sanctioned Rs 71 crore for its completion by 2004.
”T he project has been delayed for 85 months, ” he rued.
Saying that Mizoram ranked second among the Northeast states in terms of receipt of funds from the ministry, he said Mizoram received Rs 59 crore during the period from April to December 2011, compared to Rs 51.15 crore received by much bigger state Assam.
He urged that the state officials should give more attention to implementation of projects so as to enable sanctioning of more funds and ensure faster development.
Talking to reporters before he left for New Delhi on Wednesday after a night-long stay, Ghatowar also announced several projects for Mizoram, which included Rs 16 crore for a multi-level parking lot in Aizawl, Rs 300 crore for a sainik school, Rs 300 crore for completion of Tuirial hydel project which had been delayed for nearly five years, Rs 2.25 crore for a bridge in southern Mizoram, among others.
The Union Minister also assured to take steps for sanctioning of CT scan for Aizawl civil hospital, world-class auditorium in Aizawl, medical college and fund for completion of Rajiv Gandhi sports stadium in Aizawl and Falkawn Referral Hospital. (UNI)