CCEA nod to create livelihood opportunities of Rs 683 crore in 4 North East states

NEW DELHI: Decks were cleared today for implementation of a World Bank-aided project to create self employment opportunities for tribals, particularly women in four most disadvantaged northeastern states.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) at an estimated cost of Rs 683.2 crore.

"The objective of the NERLP is to improve rural livelihoods especially that of women, unemployed youth and the most disadvantaged in four North Eastern States," an official spokesperson said.

The project is expected to cover nearly three lakh households in 1,624 villages of 58 blocks falling in Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

The NERLP will be implemented by the DONER ministry in Aizwal and Lungei districts of Mizoram, Peren and Tuensang districts of Nagaland, South, West and 15 poorest Panchayat wards of East district of Sikkim and West & North districts of Tripura.

The project will cost Rs 683.2 crore of which Rs 614.8 crore will be in the form of a soft loan from the World Bank and Rs 68.4 crore as a contribution from the Centre over a period of five years.

The objective is to reach 70 per cent of the poorer households in the village and help the poorest of the poor on priority.

The NERLP has four components - social empowerment, economic empowerment, partnership development and management, project management.