Cutting funds will jeopardise relations, Gogoi warns Centre

Assam budget schemes premised on Central assistance: Chief Minister

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, April 1: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi urged New Delhi that the special category status enjoying by Assam and other Northeastern states should not be abolished and the previous funding pattern meant for the region should also not be changed. Gogoi said any such moves by the Central government is likely to jeopardize Centre-State relations.

In a letter to Prime Minister rendra Modi, Chief Minister Gogoi said that the Central government’s decision to cut funds for its different ongoing schemes in the State would hamper their implementation.

He said that it would not be possible for Dispur to complete the implementation of many such schemes in the State without the fincial assistance of the Central government.

Gogoi also stated that many of the schemes announced by him in the 2015-16 State Budget are based on Central government’s fincial assistance.

“There has been a considerable fund reduction in the Union budget proposals for important flagship programmes like RKVY, NFSM, ICDS, Flood Magement Programme, etc. The budget has also proposed change in funding pattern meant for many Centrally sponsored schemes,” Gogoi’s letter stated, adding, “For continuing the implementation of projects under Central schemes, the States will have to make direct allocation from their own resources, thus leaving very little for any new schemes or priorities. I, therefore, suggest that the Union government continue to meet the expenditures incurred under these schemes to the extent of its earlier agreed share.”

On the special category status being enjoyed by Assam and other NE states, Gogoi, in his letter, stated: “It is also pertinent to mention that special category States like Assam were earlier getting SPA, Untied SCA and ACA on a 90:10 basis. The sudden changes in pattern of funding for Centrally sponsored schemes as well as the changes in Central share of many flagship programmes, block grants, etc. announced in the Union budget have created an unexpected burden on State resources.”

“It is imperative that Assam and other NE states continue to retain their special category status along with the earlier approved pattern of fund allocation under SPA, Untied SCA and ACA. Further, the funding pattern of Centrally sponsored schemes should also not be altered to our disadvantage,” the letter added.