NEW DELHI, June 18 � The presiding officers of the Legislative Assembly of the eight North-eastern States today pressed for allocation of Rs 15 crore from the Ministry for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) to ensure completion of the North East Regional Institute of Parliamentary Studies, Training and Research (NERIPSTR).
A delegation of the Presiding Officers, led by Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Tanka Bahadur Rai, called on Union Minister for DoNER, Bijoy Krishna Handique at his Shastri Bhavan office here this afternoon.
Handique later told this newspaper that they are actively considering the demand though there were certain technical difficulties in sanctioning funds from the Non-Lapsable Pool of Central Resources (NLCPR). �We are looking into the demand and trying to work out a way to fulfill the demand,� he said.
According to the guidelines of the NLCPR, funds are allocated only on the basis of the list of projects forwarded by the respective North-eastern States.
Meanwhile, the delegation of Speakers submitted a memorandum seeking Rs 15 crore from the funds of DoNER, as a special case, so as to ensure completion of the main building with other works like development of the plot, furnishing of the requirements, electricity, water supply sanitation etc.
The sanction of funds would go a long way in avoiding colossal loss of time and cost over-runs, they pleaded.
The Guwahati-based institute was established in 1997, at an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore. The price escalation has led to higher cost estimates of around Rs 35 crore.
The Assam Assembly has contributed Rs 10 lakh, while other NE States have added Rs 5 lakh each towards the project. It was mentioned that though three floors of the proposed building have been completed, the project work is hanging fire due to lack of funds.
The Presiding Officers have further called for relaxation of the MPLAD rules to enable the MPs of the North-east to contribute Rs 2 lakh each. There are 39 MPs from the North-east.
The institute primarily aims to train the young legislators and uphold ideals of democracy.
