CM orders enquiry

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, February 6: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday asked his Additiol Chief Secretary MGVK Bhanu to enquire into the case of a government announcement turning out to be a mere eye–wash.

The enquiry was ordered by the Chief Minister following a report titled ‘Babus pour cold water on Gogoi’s blanket’ published in The Sentinel.

In his 2014–15 budget speech, the Chief Minister had announced a scheme for distribution of blankets among 20,000 poor beneficiaries in each Assembly constituency of the State. “Rs 50 crore provided for yarn and blankets to be made available to 20,000 poor beneficiaries in each LAC,” point number 127 of the budget highlights stated.

Even though winter is about to depart, the scheme is yet to be rolled out.

The government announcements turning out to be a mere eye–wash also shows how bureaucratic red–tape stifles the implementation of government schemes, as files move endlessly back and forth between departments.

There are many such promises the Chief Minister made in his budget speeches remain on paper. Though it’s practically not possible for the Chief Minister to monitor the implementation of every scheme on the ground, a proper and strict monitoring mechanism should be devised by the government so that budget promises don’t remain on paper.