House passes Budget 2015-16

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, July 21: The Aruchal Pradesh assembly today passed the 2015-16 Budget presented by Chief Minister bam Tuki on July 15 last, by voice votes after two-day discussion. Tuki, who also holds the fince minister while responding to various observations made by the members, appreciate them for innovative suggestions and informed that one lakh employment in all sectors would be created by the end of 12 Five Year Plan as a commitment toeing the Centre’s policy. Stating that self-employment was better than white collared government job as it could help earn more, Tuki said that this is the area where all sections of the society would be benefitted.

On BJP member Tage Taki’s comment on the Budget  as ‘imagiry’ and opposing allocation to social sector, The chief minister said that human resources development was key to justify 20 per cent higher allocation to social sector, a road map to make the state self-sufficient. Tuki clarified that civil deposit in RBI is a usual process and not wrong as alleged by Tamiyo Taga, BJP opposition leader and added that the surrender aimed at streamlining fince.  “Surplus or deficit is a common practice though every pie is accountable,” he said adding, the ongoing recruitment process particularly in police, health and education sectors was increasing burden to the exchequer.

On Taga’s charge on huge liabilities, Tuki clarified that the state has a liability of Rs 5,384 which was because of less allocation by the 13th Fince Comission. He added that the state government was committed to follow central pay scale and would consider the recommendation of Sevnth Pay Commission. “The untied fund helped to reduce salary liabilities,” he added. Responding to allegations by the Opposition members, the chief minister informed that the state government followed permissible RBI norms but nothing was auctioned as alleged by Taga.

Moreover, there is provision for market borrowing under permissible ceiling through RBI, he pointed out.

The debt service liabilities amounted to Rs 762 crore within the permissible limit but not Rs 900 crore as claimed by Taga, Tuki said adding, the hile in employees DA from 107 per cent to 113 per cent was included in the budgetary provision with Rs 57 crore allocations under non-plan.

While hinting steps to hike revenue generation, the chief minister moved the budget which was passed by voice votes before Speaker bam Rebia adjourned the house sine die.

Earlier, participating in the discussion, Taga said that all the members summed up that the allocations this year as historic, while the NITI Aayog had hiked the budget of all states on the basis of 14th Fince Commission recommendations givng quantum jump, which was accepted by Prime Minister rendra Modi.

Many central schemes abolished have been included in united fund with the chief minister to decide schemes; he said and urged Tuki to give specific scheme to every constituency under the supervision of the respective MLAs.

Alleging that 70 per cent of tiol and State disaster relief fund was spent on Papum Pare district, he demanded for a CBI inquiry.

Participating in the budget discussion Congress MLA Lombo Tayeng said that Job Mela conceived by Tuki helped many unemployed youths to get job in private sector, while senior BJP member Japu Deru thanked PM for granting huge fund to the state under tax devolution through the 14th Fince Commission.

BJP member Dr Mohesh Chair while appreciating the Chief Minister Universal Health Insurance Scheme (CMUHIS) wondered why the health sector was not streamlined with adequate budgetary allocations.

Parliamentary Secretary for Home Likha Saaya terming the budget as excellent said that it is the beginning of the journey to achieve Vision 2030 of the state government.

Congress member Gabriel D Wangsu, a former jourlist suggested for getting rid of the dependency syndrome on Centre and work towards self-sustaibility, while BJP MLA Laisam Simai called for a mechanism to generate state’s own revenue.

Senior Congress member Kameng Dolo, former deputy chief minister who, has the record of elected as member for seven times, stressed on rearing domestic animals saying that 99 per cent Aruchalees are meat eaters but import meat from neighbouring Assam.

Independent MLA Paknga Bage termed the budget as comprehensive and people’s friendly, while Congress member Wanglam Sawin said that the budget would provide ample job opportunities for the youths.

Congress member Karya Bagang said that the budget would take the state to a new direction and urged all the ministers to allocate constituency-wise fund on need-based projects. Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mama tung in his observation said that the Budget reflected the government’s far sighted vision.

Congress members Nyamar Karbak, Kumsi Sidisow, Nikh Kamin, Tapak Taku, Jambey Tashi, Honchun Ngandam, Techi Kaso, Dikto Yekar and Mutchu Mithi also presented their observations during the discussion.