Revised PM-DevINE guidelines

 NEW DELHI: 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. The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on October 12, 2022. Revised guidelines are essential due to the restructuring of MDoNER's schemes and their alignment with recent Department of Expenditure directives. Earlier guidelines circulated on August 29, 2022.

Effective October 12, 2022, these guidelines govern all PM-DevINE projects. Actions under previous guidelines (29.08.2022) are also subject to the new guidelines from 12.10.2022, pending the 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, the NEC, and concerned Central Ministries, with implementation through the NEC or Central Ministries or 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 the 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 and departments and state governments. It then recommends a 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 and 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, and 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 the 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 every 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, or 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.

Under PM-DEVINE, certain project types and components are ineligible, including those that provide long-term individual benefits or "direct benefit transfer" elements. Additionally, projects already funded or planned by relevant line ministries (to avoid duplication), land or site acquisition, and staff expenses are not covered. The scheme excludes projects for administrative buildings of government offices or agencies or institutional needs. Sectors already covered by other MDoNER schemes are also ineligible. Furthermore, any sector-specific projects specified in the Negative List by the Ministry of DoNER are not considered under PM-DEVINE.

The PM-DEVINE scheme outlines project size and support details. Projects should range from a minimum of Rs. 20 crore to a maximum of Rs. 500 crore in cost, using the latest Schedule of Rates (SOR) of the relevant central line department or state government for cost estimation. In cases without available SORs, estimates can be prepared by concerned departments adhering to the existing rules and practises of the relevant Indian Government line ministry, followed by techno-economic vetting by reputable institutions, or NEC.

Project Selection at MDoNER

Upon receiving project proposals or concept notes, MDoNER will promptly share them with concerned Central Line Ministries and Departments, NITI Aayog, and IFD MDoNER (where applicable) for preliminary comments to be received within 2 weeks. For projects in regulated sectors like power and water, input from relevant authorities may be sought. The preliminary comments are expected to address key aspects, including the possibility of funding under existing schemes, technology options, cost norms, convergence considerations for DPR preparation, and a general project recommendation for inclusion in PM-DevINE.

Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism

The implementation of PM-DEVINE will adhere to the Ministry of Finance's concurrent monitoring and mid-term evaluation directives. Monitoring responsibilities for sanctioned projects rest with the state government, managed by designated officers of the Implementing Agency, State Planning Department, and SLEC. The aim is to achieve projects within scheduled time, cost, and quality standards. (PIB)

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