Cess collection declined due to graft: Atul Bora

Congress legacy

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, June 1: The cess collection in Assam State Agriculture Marketing Board had declined during the previous Congress government due to massive anomalies took place in the collection process.

This was stated by State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora and Marketing Board Chairman Palit Bora in a press conference at Dispur on Thursday.

They revealed that after the new government taking charge, as many as eight Assam State Agriculture Marketing Board officials have been suspended for their alleged involvement in anomalies in cess collection.

Agriculture Minister Bora said that rampant irregularities took place in cess collection in Agriculture Marketing Board during the previous Congress government.

“After the new government taking charge, we have streamlined the process and as a result the amount of cess collection has augmented,” Bora said.

“In 2015-16, when Congress was in power, the amount of cess collection was Rs 56.32 crore but during 2016-17, the Board has collected Rs 76.03 crore cess which is about Rs 20 crore more than the previous year,” the minister said.

Assam State Agriculture Marketing Board Chairman Palit Bora said that the Board has planned to set up an inter-state termil market at Silchar.

“This will be the first of its kind in Northeast. Government has allotted 50 bighas of land for the project. We will also set up another inter-state termil market on the outskirts of Guwahati,” said the Chairman.

He further informed that three cold storages are being constructed by the Board.

Regarding purchase of paddy, Chairman Bora said, “This year we have purchased paddy at the rate of Rs 1470 per quintal whereas broker has purchased at Rs 1000 per quintal.”

Deputy Chairman Monoj Baruah was also present at the press meet.