GUWAHATI /AGARTALA, August 23 (TIWN):Narendra Modi led NDA government has passed a clear message to northeastern states that unless generate revenue at state level, Govt of India is not going to sponsor projects for the states any more.After two days patient hearing to the deliberation of Northeastern Chief Ministers - mostly free advisories to Centre how Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) and Northeast Council (NEC) to be more generous to the region, DoNER Minister Gen (Retd) V K Singh asked the states to generate sufficient fund at their own before plan any project.

“Central government only can help and assist you to implement the project but can’t take the responsibility for funding your own project, the state governments are responsible for development of it’s state,” Mr Singh made it clear.

As elder brothers and unopposed in politics both Chief Ministers of Tripura and Assam, Manik Sarkar and Tarun Gogoi had taken the lead role to demonstrate the demands for the region’s development in different angle but all were ended at “we need more money from Centre.”

According to the officials attended NEC meeting Chaired by Mr Singh with all CMs of the region on August 21-22, Congress CM Gogoi and Leftist CM Manik Sarkar spoke in the same line rather critical to the centre, as if centre will be obliged to funding their well thought and designed party oriented (!) project proposals.

It appears form the deliberation of Sarkar and Gogoi that since V K Singh is new in politics and first time minister, he should learn from them and they will issue advisory how DoNER and NEC to be more effective in funding their project. 

But Singh went on reverse and passed a clear indication that NGO like government at states is no longer required, the official stated.

He however, stated that Tripura like states are functioning as NGO where they write projects on different issues and seek fund from the centre and pressurize centre through demonstration at state level; once project sanctioned some amount they implement and rest are being eaten by the party cadres.

Turning down the request by Northeastern chief ministers to enhance fund allocation to the region, Mr Singh advised the states to work towards generating self revenue for administering the states.

“Funds are always at premium for any government and states must go for generating self revenue where Centre can be there for only assistance. It cannot be like that states will have zero revenue and all funds will come from the Centre,” Singh attributed.

Without elaborating the allegation of Tripura CM Sarkar that as many as 30 priority projects of the state were held up for funding in DoNER, Singh said insufficient funds for any developmental project can be because of various reason.

“What I will insist on the states that look at your own pockets first and see that your pockets are full. Only then take new projects,” Singh advised.

The Chief Ministers had strongly advocated raising the limit for fund allocation so that many delayed and abandoned projects can be completed and also Mr Sarkar had asked to increase sanctioning power of fund of NEC Secretary from exiting Rs 15 Cr to Rs 50 Cr and also he was critical to centre even Atal Bihari Vajpayee.