New Delhi : The Centre has spent more than Rs 3.46 lakh crore on development works in the North Eastern Region (NER) over the last four financial years, Parliament was informed on Thursday, underscoring sustained central investment in the region’s infrastructure and social sectors.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr Sukanta Majumdar said over Rs 9,195 crore has been spent through the DoNER Ministry alone since 2021. He added that overall central government expenditure in the Northeast has consistently exceeded budgetary allocations during this period.

According to the Minister, spending in the region covers a wide range of sectors, including road infrastructure, healthcare, education, civil aviation and power, as part of the Centre’s effort to position the Northeast as a key growth engine of the country.

Dr. Majumdar said the government is guided by the principle of “Act East, Act Fast, Act First” to drive accelerated and inclusive development in the region. Under the mandatory 10 per cent Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) mechanism, all non-exempted central ministries and departments are required to earmark at least 10 per cent of their annual budgetary allocations for the development of the Northeast.

Data shared in Parliament showed that cumulative expenditure on development works in the NER during the last four financial years stood at Rs 3.46 lakh crore, exceeding the cumulative allocation of Rs 3.20 lakh crore. In 2021-22, actual expenditure was Rs 70,874 crore against a revised estimate of Rs 68,440 crore. Spending rose to Rs 82,691 crore in 2022-23, surpassing the revised estimate of Rs 72,540 crore.

The upward trend continued in 2023-24, with actual expenditure of Rs 1,02,749 crore against a revised estimate of Rs 91,802 crore. For the financial year 2024-25, the government spent Rs 89,734.40 crore, again exceeding the revised estimate of Rs 87,736 crore.

Overall, actual expenditure during the four-year period amounted to nearly 108 per cent of the revised estimates, reflecting what the government described as a strong commitment to bridging long-standing developmental gaps in the Northeast.

The Centre said sustained higher spending has contributed to improvements in connectivity, access to basic services and economic opportunities, while helping integrate the Northeast more closely with national and regional growth corridors.

Dr. Majumdar added that investments under various central schemes are aimed at ensuring balanced development across all eight northeastern states, while reinforcing the region’s strategic and economic importance under India’s broader Act East policy.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally