BTC budget for the year 2022-23 hailed as pragmatic and pro-people

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The BTC budget for the year 2022-23 presented by Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pramod Boro who is also holding the finance portfolio was hailed by leaders of the ruling party and the Opposition as well. There was no debate on the budget other than the implementation of schemes, planning and liabilities.

In his speech after the approval of the budget, the deputy chief of BTC Gabinda Chandra Basumatary said the BTC budget for 2022-23 was a pragmatic and pro-people as many new proposals have been included for the overall benefit of the people. He said important departments were given maximum priorities for sustainable development. Since it is a council budget, it was a minimum budget but an optimum one to meet the target, he said adding that education, PWD, health and agriculture were given maximum importance for the larger interest of the people.

MCLA of UPPL Sanjay Swargiary said the budget was broad based and significant for a new change in the region. He said the budget had a target to cover at least 1000 km of road in BTC region which is going to be a record.

Meanwhile, the BPF MCLA and leader of Opposition Derhasat Basumatary in his speech said the budget was overall good for the people but the council should concentrate on the execution of schemes and proposals. He said many proposals and assurances have been given in the budget. He, however, said the government should maintain transparency keeping the Opposition in faith about the planning and execution.

CEM of BTC Pramod Boro thanked all the Executive Members, MCLAs of both in position and opposition and officers for extending support for the approval of his budget. He said they failed to take satisfactory budget due to the economic damage caused by Covid pandemic but this year they tried to reform it with more inclusive strategy. He said they faced many hurdles to bring more development in the region because of Rs. 2300 crore liabilities made by previous government but despite this fact they are working with renewed strategy and assured that within 2-3 months the martyr families of Bodoland movement will be given ex -gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each.

Boro said there had been liabilities of Rs. 389 crore in Chief's Discretionary fund, over Rs. 900 in PWD and big liabilities in WPT&BC, GAD, education, agriculture, water resources etc. He alleged that many suppliers from UP, Bihar and Karnataka who supplied various items used to come and meet him to convince for releasing pending bills of the previous term. He also said the present government has been trying to provincialize the venture schools of BTC through clause 6.1 of BTR accord as venture schools have vast contributions for giving education in much backward regions.

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