Kohima, July 25: Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang chaired a high-level review meeting on Thursday at the Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall to assess the status of long-pending projects under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the North Eastern Council (NEC).

The review focused on projects delayed for over a decade, with Zeliang urging implementing agencies to expedite work. He emphasized that unutilized funds during the current financial year—marking the end of the 15th Finance Commission—could affect future funding under the 16th Finance Commission.

The meeting reviewed 26 distressed projects under the NESIDS (OTRI), NESIDS (Roads), and NEC schemes. Of these, 16 projects under NESIDS (OTRI) across seven departments were examined, including some sanctioned as early as 2003. In addition, five pending projects under NESIDS (Roads) and NEC were identified. Departments assured completion within revised timelines.