Guwahati, March 14: The Northeast NGO’s forum today demanded the Union government to take immediate measures to stop diversion of money sanctioned by the DoNER for capacity building of unemployed youths of the region.
Though an amount of Rs 19.5 crore was sanctioned by the DoNER ministry in 2010-11 under the capacity building and technical assistance scheme, Rs 11.5 crore was allotted to various training institutes in other parts of the country. Institutes and organisations situated in the Northeast received only Rs 8.5 crore.
Members of the forum had also filed an RTI with the DoNER ministry in New Delhi, demanding details of the money allocated for the development of the northeastern states during the current fiscal.
The ministry’s response in turn was that 6,400 youths from the region had already availed technical training in institutes located in other states.
The forum said the DoNER ministry should concentrate on establishing training institutes in the region instead of diverting funds allocated for Northeast to other states.
“Not a single penny from the funds allocated for the development of Northeast should be given to other states. But on numerous occasions, the DoNER ministry has been seen diverting this fund to training institutes elsewhere in the name of providing a scope for capacity building of unemployed youths of the region. Moreover, these youths are getting trained in areas like publishing (DTP), fashion designing and beauty business, which can easily be availed in local institutes situated here,” said Rajkamal Choudhury, a member of the forum.
“We do not oppose anyone who chooses to avail advanced technical training outside. But it will be more beneficial if the ministry establishes more institutes in the eight northeastern states and sanctions funds for development of manpower. This will prevent huge amount of funds from being redirected from the region,” said Choudhury.
Northeast has more than 55 lakh unemployed youths, of whom about 30 lakh show interest in technical training. But they have been unable to master their skills because of lack of opportunity and funds.
“We have thrice demanded a clarification from the ministry on this matter, but with no result. Hence, we forwarded a letter to the Prime Minister and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to draw their attention to this rampant misuse of funds. We have also forwarded copies of the letter to the chief ministers of the eight northeastern states. We will continue with our movement till our demands are met,” said Paresh Chandra Baishya, general secretary of the forum.
