Minorities languish, welfare funds remain unspent

Of Rs 22.5 crore allotted for 25 minority community schemes in 2015-16, not a single rupee was spent

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, July 31: A section of politicians in India has looted the tion more than the Britishers did, and the politicians in Assam are no exception.

In the 15 years of three Congress governments in Assam, crores of rupees allotted and released in the me of schemes for development and welfare of the minority community were plundered by a section of the political class, though they never let go of any opportunity to mouth the minority development mantra.

As per available records, a total budgetary allocation of Rs 22.5 crore was made for 25 schemes in the 2015-16 fiscal in the me of welfare of the minority community in the State by the previous State government, but not a single rupee was spent for the purpose.

Sources at the Office of the Treasury Officer, Government of Assam stated that a total of Rs 1.99 crore as fixation of ceiling (FOC) for 8 schemes out of the proposed 25 schemes was issued by the Office of the Treasury Officer to the Assam Minorities Development Board — but the FOC allotment hasn’t been drawn in favour of the Director of the Assam Minorities Development Board as per treasury records, and no bills were submitted against these ceilings within the valid period. 

Sources further stated that the Rs 1.99 crore as FOC issued by the authorities concerned was never even released. It may be mentioned here that the then State Minister of Welfare of Minority Development was Sukkur Ali Ahmed.

On this issue, State BJP Minority Morcha president Mominul Aawal said, “Barring deception, the previous Congress government which ruled the State for 15 years failed to do any good for the minorities of Assam. During the Congress regime, the party goons, leaders and honchos looted funds meant for welfare schemes of the minority community in the State.”