Assembly passes 2017-18 budget

From Our Correspondent

Itagar, March 15: The Aruchal Pradesh Assembly today passed the Budget for 2017-18 by voice votes after two-day discussions by the members from both ruling and opposition parties. Deputy Chief Minister Chow Mein, who also holds the fince portfolio, presented the first Budget of the BJP government in the house on March 10 last.

Participating in the budget discussion, Chief Minister Pema Khandu reiterated his government commitment to treat all constituencies equally rising above political consideration while giving additiol thrust on agri-horti sectors. He informed that an event on organic mission would be conducted in the state on April next which would be attended by union minister. Lauding the suggestions of the members, Khandu assured to incorporate in the budget which implementation would begin from April next. “The budget reflects Prime Minister rendra Modi’s dream of a new India,” Khandu said adding, the state government would create phase-wise infrastructure in the state to reduce the gap.

Urging the members to work with ‘Team Aruchal’ spirit to root out corruption, Khandu said that prioritization of IT sector would reduce corruption in the government level through paper less administration. Referring to the innovative Chief Minister Dashboard proposal in the budget, Khandu said that the dash board would be ready soon where all the schemes including flagship programmes would be uploaded for effective monitoring to achieve the goal of sab ka saath sab ka vikas. Stating that the state had vast land but no progress could be achieved, the chief minister informed that law would be ected soon for land reforms to woo private investment. Informing that six Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) have been upgraded in the state, the chief minister said that Itagar Airport would be developing soon while the state would have its own aircrafts. Calling for developing work culture right from babus to chief secretary to achieve developmental agendas of the government, Khandu assured to focus on revenue generation and employment generation through skill and entrepreneurial development. The assembly later passed the budget before Speaker T Norbu Thongdok adjourned the house sine die.