Centre has not scrapped 90:10 funding pattern, says Himanta

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Nov 13: State Fince Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that the Centre has decided to continue with the existing pattern of transfer for exterlly-aided projects for Assam and other Northeastern state in the grant–loan ratio of 90:10.

Addressing a press conference at Dispur today, Sarma said, “As former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi claimed, the Central government has not stopped 90:10 grant–loan ratio for exterlly-aided projects (EAPs) for Assam and other NE states. The Union Ministry of Fince has recently informed us about its decision to continue with the existing pattern of fund transfer for EAPs.” According to existing fund pattern, 90% of the loan is repaid by the Central government and only 10% of the loan payment liability is borne by the State government with respect to 80% of the project cost.

Sarma further said that Aadhaar card is not mandatory for the students of Assam for availing scholarships and they can avail the benefit. “Union Human Resource Development minister Prakash Javadekar has informed us that any student who have applied or wishing to apply for scholarship shall not be denied benefit thereof due to non availability of Aadhaar card,” Sarma said. He said that the candidates, however, have to get an alterte means of verification of identity and concerned bank account to the satisfaction of the competent authority.

Sarma said that the HRD ministry has decided to delink the beneficiaries of Ishan Uday from mandatory requirement of Aadhar following the request from State government as Aadhar card scheme has not been implemented in Assam. He said that the Director (Scholarship) of MHRD has issued an office memorandum stating that a decision has been taken that as an interim arrangement, scholarships for the students of Assam could be disbursed directly into the Jan Dhan account of the students and their identity established through KYC documents such as birth certificate, school certificate. Sarma further said that the 7th Pay Commission will submit its report on November 18 and state government will take steps to implement from April 1, 2017.