DIPHU: Tuliram Ronghang, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), presented the budget for the financial year 2025-26 during a session chaired by KAAC Chairman Raju Tisso on wednesday. The session commenced with an obituary reference to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who died on December 26, 2023.
During his budget speech, CEM Ronghang made a number of major allocations, including a hike in the monthly honorarium for Members of the Autonomous Council (MACs) to Rs 1 lakh. The budget also provides Rs 420 lakh to the Land & Revenue Department to enhance the monthly honorarium of Sarkari Gaon Buras (SGBs) from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000.
Additionally, a provision of Rs 75 lakh has been set aside for promoting the culture and languages of various indigenous communities. The budget earmarks Rs 1 crore annually for the development of MAC constituencies and allocates Rs 56 crore for the pensions of former MACs. The Education Department will receive Rs 9,304 lakh for teacher salaries at UPSC and APSC coaching centers for ST candidates, along with Rs 2,468.71 lakh for Karbi Language Teachers.
CEM Ronghang expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for granting the KAAC the autonomy to prepare its own budget, a first in the council's history. He also emphasized the need for stricter regulation of illegal brick kiln operations in Bokajan, directing the Taxation Department to take action by March.
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