Congress slams Dispur for 'failing' to utilize budget funds

GUWAHATI: Leader of the Opposition of the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia has alleged that the State government has failed to utilize the funds which were announced in the Budget 2019-20.

Addressing the mediapersons, the leader underlined that the total expenditure of the 2019-20 budget was Rs 1,19,729 crore. However, Rs 81,088 crore has been spent till date i.e. 67 per cent of the total funds.

He pointed out that the total budget includes Rs 20,293 crore for supplementary demand.

"For the development of a State, the capital expenditure should be more than revenue expenditure. But, it is opposite in terms of the Assam government. Similarly, SOPD (State-Owned Priority Development) expenditure was Rs 21,300 crore which was later increased to Rs 25,186 crore. But after allocating such amount in the SOPD only 50 per cent of the funds have been utilized," the leader asserted.

Further, the leader pointed out the funds which were allocated under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS). He said Rs 25,634 crore were allocated under CSS where Rs 10,258 crore was for supplementary demand. However, the Centre released only Rs 15,223 crore which shows that the State government has failed to get its grant from the Centre, he stressed.

Saikia stressed that many departments have failed to utilize the funds allocated in the budget. "The Education, PWD and the Health departments have only utilized 50 per cent of the total funds. From August 31, the Assam Legislative Assembly Sessions will commence. The government will again sought supplementary demand from the departments," he said.

"The economic condition of both the Centre and State is degrading and the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is declining constantly. Assam is facing a huge unemployment crisis and the COVID pandemic has made the situation worse.

In regard to the economic crisis amid the COVID pandemic, two reports on economic reforms were submitted to the government. One report - Report on the Advisory Committeee for privatization of Economy of Assam was made under the guidance of Subhash Chandra Das and the other was made by SITA (State Innovation & Transformation Aayog). The government has taken no initiative and no funds were allocated to implement the recommendations given in the reports," said Saikia.

Saikia stressed the government needs to reshuffle and it needs to evaluate report cards of its Ministers.

Adding to Sakia's statements, Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha took pot shots at Dispur regarding the COVID situation and the NRC (National Register of Citizens). Purkayastha alleged that in the name of corona, a syndicate is being run by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party).

"Dispur has failed to support the public to revive from the COVID pandemic. Numerous individuals and organizations donated funds in the government accounts. But where has the funds being utilized? After receiving funds in abundance, the public has not received any service," said Purkayastha.

Slamming the NRC exercise, the leader said that the people have not yet received any result from the process and tons of public money was invested.

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