As polls loom, Gogoi scrambles to finish packages

Barak MLAs complain to CM about release of only half the promised fund of Rs 1,000 crore

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Nov 4: Nearing completion of his third consecutive term in power, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has realized that implementation of the special packages he had announced for Barak Valley, Dhemaji and Dhakuakha soon after the 2011 elections, are far from satisfactory.

With just five months left for the next elections, Gogoi has now instructed the Fince department to ensure that release of funds for implementation of the packages is hassle-free.

The Chief Minister had announced a package of Rs 1,000 crore for Barak Valley, Rs 83.7 crore for Dhemaji and Rs 100 crore for Dhakuakha.

However, the departments concerned have given administrative approval of works amounting to only around Rs 500 crore so far under that Barak Valley package. In this year’s plan allocation, Rs 40.97 crore and Rs 67.5 crore have been earmarked for the Dhemaji and Dhakuakha packages.

A number of projects under the packages are slated to be completed by January 15 next. Gogoi had sent a note to the Fince department, instructing it not to keep the fund releases pending.

Earlier today, a delegation of six ministers and MLAs from Barak Valley called on the Chief Minister at his office chamber.

The delegation expressed its unhappiness over the sluggish implementation of the package.

The representatives told the CM that a number of contractors have abandoned the works half way through as payments were being inorditely delayed. They also raised the issue of poor condition of the tiol highway in Barak Valley.

The Chief Minister is learnt to have showed the note he had written to the Fince department to expedite execution of the packages.