SHILLONG, APR 22: The North Eastern Council (NEC), the apex statutory body for regional planning and development of the eight northeastern states, recorded a total expenditure of ₹1,496.78 crore in the financial year 2025–26, marking what it called a “landmark year” for the region.
The expenditure includes ₹792.12 crore under Schemes of NEC (SoNEC) and ₹704.66 crore under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme – Roads (NESIDS-Roads).
“NEC’s performance this year signals a decisive acceleration in the development trajectory of the Northeast,” the Council said.
During 2025–26, NEC sanctioned 54 new projects valued at ₹435.22 crore, covering higher education, health infrastructure, industries, agriculture & horticulture, tourism, livelihood and cultural preservation.
This is the highest single-year count in the current 15th Finance Commission cycle. Another 162 non-project activities worth ₹24.06 crore, including cultural festivals, seminars and awareness programmes, were also sanctioned. Total new sanctions for the year stood at ₹459.28 crore.
The year also saw 136 projects worth ₹678.85 crore completed — the second highest annual completion figure in the current Finance Commission cycle.
In addition, 161 non-project activities worth ₹17.28 crore were completed, taking total deliverables for 2025–26 to 297.
Under NESIDS-Roads, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has sanctioned 64 road projects worth ₹3,037.39 crore across all eight states in the 15th FC period, of which 30 projects worth ₹1,123.08 crore are complete.
In 2025–26 alone, NESIDS-Roads expenditure was ₹704.66 crore, covering bridges over major rivers and road upgradation projects in NER.
The NEC Secretariat conducted 405 field inspections of ongoing projects during the year.
“This sustained field presence ensures quality control, timely completion, and accountability in project execution,” it said.
A key governance achievement was the reduction in committed financial liabilities and Utilisation Certificates (UCs).
Committed liabilities fell from ₹1,743.48 crore as on April 1, 2022 to ₹813.17 crore as on March 31, 2026 — a reduction of over 53% in four years. Pending UCs dropped from ₹440.82 crore as on April 1, 2025 to ₹10.94 crore by February–March 2026, a fall of over 97% in one financial year.
“This underscores NEC’s intensified focus on financial accountability and compliance,” the Council said.
The Secretary, NEC, conveyed special thanks to state governments and implementing agencies for their “collective commitment in advancing developmental priorities of the North East.”
The Council credited the visionary leadership and guidance of the Chairperson, NEC (Union Home Minister) and the Vice Chairperson, NEC (Minister for Development of North Eastern Region) for the progress.
“Reaffirming its resolve, NEC shall continue to work in close partnership with all North Eastern States to help realise the vision of a Viksit North East by 2047, in alignment with the dream and inspiring vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for a Viksit Bharat by 2047,” it said.
By Our Reporter
