ITANAGAR, Mar 23 (PTI): The Arunachal Pradesh assembly today passed the 2016-17 budget by voice votes, as the opposition Congress continued to boycott the three-day session.
On March 21, the Congress members had staged walkout from the House terming the session as illegal .
Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, who also holds the finance portfolio, yesterday presented the Rs 367.58 crore deficit budget, the first from the Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) government which came to power after months of political instability.
Responding to various suggestions of the members in the over 10-hour budget discussion, Pul sought whole-hearted cooperation from the two Deputy Chief Ministers, ministers and MLAs including civil societies and NGOs to turn the budget into reality.
He called for political will and support of one and all in translating the budget proposals into reality while affirming that preparation of budget was an arduous task and he had written to all stakeholders for their views and suggestions before preparing the financial document.
Ironically none had responded, Pul commented adding "to implement the budget in toto, political will is a must and for that we all must put concerted efforts."
The chief minister further called students' unions, NGOs and civil societies for strict monitoring of implementation parts of the budget proposals and to seek audit from the government.
Pul broke down between his address saying that nobody is unfortunate like him despite his commitment to public service, which prompted Speaker Wangki Lowang to interrupt him and say "Please go ahead. Pain accompanies happiness."
"If unwanted people would not allow us to work, our time will pass and that makes me sentimental sometime."
Taking a dig at the previous government, he claimed he put in efforts to resuscitate the allegedly bankrupt government.
"People elected us and we are duty-bound for them."
Referring to the claim of the previous government that all the development funds were put in the civil deposit, Pul said there was no such provision and the last government had befooled the people. "After we took over the reins, we have maintained a positive cash balance of Rs 1660 crore with RBI."
Deputy chief minister Kameng Dolo said that the budget reflected the commitment of the government for the people. He also called to free the state from psychotropic practice.
While another deputy chief minister Chowna Mein while insisting on reopening of border trade at Pangsau Pass along Myanmar border, informed that border area development has been going on which would improve boost economic activities soon.
Later, after several members spoke on different aspects of the budget, the House adopted the budget through voice votes before the Speaker adjourned it sine die.
