Basaiawmoit questions disparity in allocation of funds for border areas

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 10: HSPDP legislator from Nongkrem, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit today questioned the disparity in allocation of funds for areas that fall in the intertiol border and the inter-State border.

Basaiawmoit, observed that by looking at the papers provided by the State Government, there are indications that the areas falling under the intertiol border are getting more schemes compared to the areas under the inter-State border.

In his reply during the question hour on Thursday, Border Area Development Minister, Prestone Tynsong stated that there are two separate schemes for borders villages in the state.

“The Special Central Assistance (SCA) cater to the requirement of the areas falling under the intertiol border while on the other hand, the Inter State Border Areas Development Programme (ISBADP) which is allotted through the State Plan is meant for areas falling under the inter-state border,” said Tynsong.

He also informed that that the ISBADP is a new scheme of the State Government which was first implemented in 2011-2012.

According to Tynsong, the state government at present allocates Rs 10 crore for this programme each year.

The Minister further informed that the committee for allocation of the schemes under the Inter State Border Areas Development Programme is headed by the Deputy Commissioner of the respective district.

Tynsong also informed that the funds is being release to the Deputy Commissioner adding that the Deputy Commissioner in consultation with the various Block Development Officer in the district then decide on the implementation of the scheme through this programme for the development of the areas under the Inter-State border.

The Opposition leader Dr Donkupar Roy suggested that the Inter State Border Areas Development Programme should be implemented by the Community and Rural Development department instead of the Border Area Development department.

In Reply, Tynsong assured that the Government would examine the suggestion given by the Opposition leader.

Border Area Development Minister Prestone Tynsong while replying to a question raised by the HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit during the Question Hour informed that the types of schemes under the Border Area Development are Special Central Assistance, Inter State Border Areas Development Programme, Schemes under Article 275 (1) and Border Scholarship.