Jitendra Singh
DoNER minister Jitendra Singh

Sealing of 5500 (approx) km international border in the northeastern ensured effective lockdown in the region, said DoNER minister Jitendra Singh on Friday.

“5500 (approx) km international border has been effectively closed to enforce lockdown,” said Dr Singh.

The minister held a detailed review meeting by video conferencing with officers of the Ministry of DoNER, North Eastern Council (NEC) and NEDFi.

He took the meeting while adhering to all the guidelines of social distancing in view of the outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic.

He discussed the measures being taken to fight the same in the NE Region.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Ministry of DoNER, Addl Secy MDoNER, Secretary NEC, CMD North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) and other senior officers of MDoNER and NEC.

It was informed in the meeting that 100 per cent work of the Ministry was on e-Office, making it easier to comply with the directions of government to work from home mode.

Mentionable, NEDFi is contributing Rs two crore to PM-CARES fund. All officers and staff of the Ministry of DoNER and its organizations & PSUs viz NEC, NEDFi, NEHHDC, NERAMAC, CBTC and NERCOMP have contributed one day’s salary to PM-CARES fund.

The Ministry and NEC have already sanctioned Rs 25 crores to the northeast for gap funding to fight the COVID-19 outbreak effectively.

The fund was in the nature of the untied fund, which can be utilized on any activity relating to COVID-19 pandemic, and not covered under existing central packages.

“The flexibility of untied funds would enable the states to respond quickly. This fund would be in addition to the funds otherwise allocated by the Ministry of DoNER and NEC to the North Eastern States under the existing schemes,” officials said.