House passes resolution on Special Category status

FUNDS CUT
*     In the last fiscal, Rs 26,814 cr allotted under the Normal Central Assistance but no fund this fiscal.
*    In the last fiscal, Rs 1780 cr allotted under the ACA but no fund this fiscal.
*    Under the Special Central Assistance, Rs 10,150 cr allotted in the last fiscal but no fund this fiscal.
*    Under the Model School Scheme, Rs 1,620 cr allotted in the last fiscal but only Rs 1 cr this fiscal. 

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, March 4: With New Delhi indicating withdrawal of Special Category State status to Assam, the State Assembly on Wednesday passed an unimous resolution urging the Central government to continue with the status to the State, ensuring larger share of Central assistance to various schemes.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rockybul Hussain introduced the resolution in the House that sought greater share of Central funding for the flagship schemes of the Union government.

“The State expresses deep concern at the above departure from the entitled Special Category status. It may be stated that Assam is a resource poor State and the interl generation of revenue resources cannot commensurate with the salary expenditure,” Hussain added.

The resolution passed in the House reads: “The Government of Assam shall move the authorities concerned in the Government of India to continue with the Special Category status to the State of Assam so as to ensure that the pattern of funding Central assistance to Assam shall be either 100 per cent Central share or on the principle of 90 per cent Central share and 10 per cent State share (90:10).”

Earlier, during the Zero Hour of the Assembly, Congress MLA Durlav Chamua said, “The decision of the Central government to slash fincial assistance for its different schemes reveals how much it is concerned for the northeastern States. The Central government has decided to cut the allocated funds for most of the major flagship schemes, and if it continues like this, Assam will no longer enjoy the Special Category State status.”

In her reply, Planning and Development Minister Ajanta Neog informed the House that less funds were sanctioned by the 14th Fince Commission for Assam compared to funds sanctioned by the 13th Fince Commission. “The Government of India has taken a decision to slash funds allotted mainly for social security schemes,” Neog added.

According to Neog, in the last fincial year, Rs 26,814 crore was allotted by the Centre under the Normal Central Assistance but no fund has been allotted by the Centre in this fincial year. In the last fincial year, Rs 1780 crore was allotted under the ACA but no fund has been allotted in this fincial year. Under the Special Central Assistance, Rs 10,150 crore was allotted by the Central government to the State in the last fincial year but no fund under the same head has been allotted in this fincial year. Under the Model School Scheme, Rs 1,620 crore was allotted by the Central government to the State in the last fincial year but this time only Rs 1 crore has been allotted, the Minister added.

Neog further stated that implementation of several agriculture schemes which fall under social security schemes had been affected due to the Central government’s fund cut decision.

As such, the State government has requested the Centre to take necessary remedial measures looking at the special category to the State.