ITANAGAR, July 22 - Arunachal Pradesh Assembly passed the Budget for the financial year 2015-16 by a voice vote on the last day of the 15-day budget session on Tuesday.
The Rs 514.87 crore deficit budget for 2015-16 was presented by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, also the Minister in-charge of Finance, on July 15 last. Members from both Treasury and Opposition benches took part in the budget discussion.
Tuki, while appreciating the members� observations and suggestions, told the House that the year 2015 has been declared as the �year of self-employment�, saying it was his government�s commitment to generate one lakh jobs in all sectors by the end of 12th Five Year Plan.
Reacting to BJP member Tage Taki�s observations that the budget was �not giving much stress on infrastructure development�, Tuki said: �I would agree with him but human resources development with enhanced allocations was very essential which would help prepare a roadmap to make Arunachal Pradesh self-sufficient.�
Stating that there was immense burden on the State exchequer due to ever-rising recruitment particularly of police, teachers, doctors and creation of new divisions, sub-divisions, Tuki informed that Rs 2,925 crore untied fund during 2007-14 helped meet the liabilities on employees� salary front.
He further stated that State�s debt liabilities stood at Rs 762 crore and not Rs 900 crore as claimed by Opposition leader Tamiyo Taga.
Allaying Opposition�s apprehensions on six per cent hike in employees� DA, the CM said that for this, the government has kept the budgetary provision of Rs 57 crore under non-plan. He also said, �We have committed to follow the Central pay scales and would consider implementing 7th Pay Commission recommendations.�
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Taga said, �Financial discipline was very essential along with honesty and integrity of the ruling side.� Taga further said: �The quantum jump in budget was due to implementation of NITI Aayog�s formula and awarding of Central taxes share as per the Fourteenth Finance Commission recommendations.�
�Why the Congress Government was hesitating to thank PM Narendra Modi for this�, rued the BJP leader, adding that quantum jump in allocations has taken the budget to the level of Rs 12,533.62 crore.�
The Opposition leader demanded a CBI inquiry into the Rs 331.41 crore relief fund sanctioned under NDFR and SDRF during 2011-15.
Congress�s Bamang Felix said more than 50 organisations had appreciated the budget and appealed the opposition �to work with a team spirit to take Arunachal on the path to development and growth.
Senior Congress member Kameng Dolo term the budget as �wonderful, people-friendly budget� before stressing on promoting animal rearing and expansion of agri-horti activities in his home district East Kameng.
