NEW DELHI, Sept 3 � The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has been allotted additional responsibility of �Hill Area Development Programme in North Eastern Region� mandating the Ministry to work for hill area development in the region, official sources said.
The additional allotment has been given by an amendment of the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules,1961 vide Gazette notification on August 18. The Ministry of DoNER now becomes directly responsible for matters pertaining to the hill areas of the region.
Sources said although the subject was included along with Border Area Development under the Ministry of DoNER, it continued to be with the Ministry of Home Affairs due to its sensitive nature and also due to the fact that there are other hilly areas in the country in addition to those in the North Eastern Region.
Following sustained lobbying the Union Government settled the issue by adding the work of hill areas development of North Eastern Region to the Ministry of DoNER, while allotting the work of Border areas to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Union Minister of Mines and DoNER Bijoy Krishna Handique, has meanwhile welcomed the decision mentioning that the inclusion of Hill Area Development subject would extend the scope of the Ministry of DoNER to directly cater to the developmental needs of the diverse populace inhabiting these areas.
