Fiscal crisis? Gogoi refuses to get down from high horse

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Oct 19: Brushing aside reports that his government is grappling with an acute fincial crisis, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today insisted the State's fiscal condition is "quite stable". He, however, blamed the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for squeezing the fund flow by changing the Central funding pattern.

"The fincial condition is quite stable and not grim as painted by the BJP," Gogoi said in a statement here.

"The government has been paying regular salaries to the employees on time besides dearness allowance at par with Central government employees," he said.

Gogoi said the State's fincial condition has been stabilised through a slew of fiscal discipline and magement measures. "BARD projects worth Rs 750 crore have been sanctioned this year and the State has bagged Exterlly Aided Projects worth Rs 300 crore," Gogoi said, adding that the State government would avail of loans from BRICS New Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank soon.

The Chief Minister said the State has taken up a big plan for developing inland water transport infrastructure worth Rs 900 crore.

The Chief Minister said the State Fince department would soon release Rs 300 crore to the Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. Gogoi said though the Central government has stopped funds to the zila parishad, anchalik parishad, autonomous councils and 6th Schedule areas, the State Government has been providing funds out of its own resources. The Chief Minister said though at the directive of Accountant General, Assam revenue and civil deposits have been taken back, provision has been made for the departments to place supplementary budgets from time to time, so that the process of development is not affected. "The Fince department has made the flow of funds to the concerned departments smooth and hassle-free," he added.

Gogoi said the guidelines against schemes announced in the current budget to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore have been formulated and the selection process of beneficiaries is under way. The Chief Minister said retention process has been simplified and to ensure transparency, e-tendering has been introduced.

The claims about the State's fiscal health are notwithstanding reports that the government is uble to pay bills of contractors as well as continue a slew of schemes due to shortage of funds.