Pramod Boro presents Rs 2,133-crore BTC Budget

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KOKRAJHAR: BTC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pramod Boro presented the Rs 2,133.42-crore council budget for the financial year 2023-24 with an estimated expenditure of Rs 2,121.84 crore and a surplus of Rs 11.58 crore in the two-day budget session beginning today at the BTC Legislative Assembly.

Boro, in addition to the special allocation of funds to BTC, earmarked an outlay of Rs 800 crore to the BTC under SOPD (state-owned Priority Development) schemes for the financial year 2023-24. The WPT&BC department has received lion’s share of Rs 106.82 crore, followed by Education amounting to Rs 113.57 crore and PWD amounting to Rs. 98.62 crore. The Lottery Department has the least allocation of Rs. 1 lakh. The Excise Department got an allocation of Rs 15 lakh.

Besides, the normal budget of the council will include grants for infrastructure development for an amount of Rs 200 crore, an ex-gratia payment to Bodoland martyrs of Rs 25 crore, and a Rs 800 crore consolidated fund for the SOPD. The budget will also include Rs 25 crore for matching contributions to the Bodo Peace Accord, Rs 4.34 crore for assistance to the BTC Assembly Secretariat, Rs 5.79 crore for assistance to the BTC Secretariat, Rs 2.89 crore in financial assistance for the construction of residences, Rs 116.75 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna, and Rs 17 crore for administrative grants to the BTC.

Meanwhile, the opposition leader, Derhasat Basumatary, told reporters that the present government had failed to bring infrastructure development and alleged that the funds meant for development were not properly utilised. He also reiterated that most of the funds were not spent properly and that the government failed to implement schemes. Countering his statement, EM Gautam Das said the allegations of opposition leader Derhasat Basumatary were not based on fact. He said the present government, led by Pramod Boro, had been sincerely working for proper implementation of schemes and prioritising important segments for better development. He also said the allocation of funds is not a big deal, but its implementation is more important.

On the other hand, the House witnessed a hot debate on the issue of encroachment on forest land. The acquisition of forest land by leaders and high-ranking individuals was discussed seriously, and opposition leaders were targeted for having been involved in the grabbing of forest land for plantations of tea and rubber. The Speaker informed the House that a committee would be formed to study the illegal grabbing of land in forests by leaders and public representatives. The House expressed heartfelt thanks to the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Education Minister, and the CEM of BTC for declaring March 31, the birth anniversary of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, as Students’ Day across Assam. Three members from each ruling and opposition bench were given the chance to speak about the life and dedication of Bodofa UN Brahma.

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