Assam annual Budget for fiscal 2021-22 passed in state Assembly

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The annual Budget for fiscal 2021-22 got its passage in the state Assembly on Friday.

Finance Minister Ajanta Neog moved the Assam Appropriation (No. 1) Bill, 2021, for withdrawing Rs 107556.2904 crore from the state consolidated fund. Neog, the first woman Finance Minister of the State, placed the Budget in the Assembly on July 16, 2021.

Before passing the Appropriation Bill, Congress MLA Bharat Chandra Narah said, "The people of Assam have to face problems for NEEPCO (North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited) releasing water all of a sudden. Most of the NEEPCO dams are in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. If NEEPCO informs Assam at least three hours before releasing water, the State government can alert people at the grassroots level through mikes.

"People are aware of floods that inundate lands slowly. However, in flash floods, they get little time to save themselves and their property. To avert such a situation, the State government should sign an agreement with NEEPCO to ensure that the power company informs Assam well ahead of releasing water.

"The NEEPCO should also pay compensation to the flash flood-affected people of Assam for the loss they incur. The State government has no reason to compensate for such loss."

In her reply, Ajanta Neog said, "The Finance Department allocates funds to various departments through the Budget. This issue is not directly related to the Finance Department. We have noted the points. I hope the departments concerned will certainly look into the matter."

Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed, former minister Rakibul Hussain and AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam also spoke.

Also Read: Assam Assembly Budget Session to Resume Today

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