MPs Raise Concerns Over Underutilisation of Northeastern Development Funds

Several MPs across party lines, including Derek O'Brien (TMC), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena-UBT), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), and Naveen Jindal (BJP), raised concerns over underutilisation of funds allocated to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) during a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting. They highlighted that 41% of the 2024-25 budget and 36% of the 2025-26 budget remained unspent. The MPs also flagged gaps in the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana's reach, with about 75% of intended beneficiaries uncovered, and noted 25% vacancies in DoNER's sanctioned posts. The committee chairperson directed officials to respond within three days and will forward a letter from the Trinamool Congress to the Home Ministry. A separate note on fund utilisation for Manipur was also requested.