ITANAGAR, March 15 - The Arunachal Assembly on Wednesday passed the Rs 19,261.30 crore Budget for the financial year 2018-19 and the Arunachal Pradesh Appropriation (No. 1) Bill, 2018 following a marathon debate.
The Budget was passed unanimously after Speaker TN Thongdok put it to vote a couple of days after the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge of Finance Chowna Mein presented it on the second day of the ongoing House session.
Replying to members� views and suggestions during the Budget discussion, Chief Minister Pema Khandu called upon all members including the Opposition bench to support his Government to implement the Budget, while asserting that a strong �political will� was needed for the same.
Pointing out that the 2019 election is coming, Khandu said, �We will have to implement the Budget proposals (to win the people�s confidence).�
He said the Budget for 2018-19 has been prepared keeping in mind the targets set by �Dream Change 2027� initiative focusing on seven key sectors, besides taking suggestions from stakeholders including government officers, community-based organisations (CBOs), women�s bodies, etc.
He stressed on involvement of all stakeholders to increase the State�s own resources by converting the vast natural resources into financial resources. He assured of decentralising SIDF, adding that attempts were being made to decentralise education, health, agriculture and allied sectors as well.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said, �Benefits of the Budget 2018-19 must reach out to all sections of the society. This is the intention of our Government,� he said while announcing that a committee under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of Finance is being constituted for its implementation in toto. He also stressed on augmenting the State�s own revenue generation.
Noting that the loss for GST would be compensated by the Centre, both Khandu and Mein that the 15th Finance Commission is coming to Arunachal on April 5 for a three-day consultation with the State Government.
