EGoM to fast-track North-East projects

New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set up an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) to ensure speedy implementation of infrastructure development projects and explore ways to boost the economy of the North-East. Minister for Development of Northeastern Region (DONER) Paban Singh Ghatowar said the EGoM, to be headed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram, will suggest measures for effective coordination among various central ministries to implement major infrastructure projects. "The Prime Minister has appointed the EGoM to address various issues concerning the northeastern region," Ghatowar told reporters after concluding session of the the 62nd North East Council (NEC) Plenary meeting here.DoNER officials said members of the EGoM include Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, Road Transport Minister Oscar Fernandes and Ghatowar. Ghatowar said a committee of secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth has also been appointed by the Prime Minister to monitor implementation of various infrastructure projects in the northeast. About the NEC meeting, he said it finalised an annual plan of Rs 770 crore for the financial year 2013-14. The NEC is a regional planning body under the Ministry of DONER and it will spend the funds on various infrastructure projects and welfare schemes. The meeting was attended by Governors of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura and Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur and Meghalaya. Ghatowar said special presentations were made at the NEC plenary meeting on infrastructure development projects by the Ministry of Railways, Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation.