NEW DELHI, Feb 25 � In a major boost to three special category States of Assam, Sikkim and Uttrakhand, the 13th Finance Commission has recommended performance incentive grant of Rs 1500 crore. The three States have graduated out of Non-Plan Revenue Deficit.
The report tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Parliament said that Assam benefitted from NRPD grants under all Finance Commission since Finance Commission I except Finance Commission VII.
Assam has been given an incentive grant of Rs 300 crore spread over two financial years of Rs 150 crore each in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.
The grants-in-aid for Assam recommended by the Finance Commission and accepted by the Centre includes additional funds for border area development, improvement of building infrastructure of Cotton College, heritage conservation, promotion of tourism, police housing, police training and infrastructure development of Sixth Schedule areas.
The State Government has stated that Cotton College, Guwahati established in 1901 is not only a premier educational institution, but also a heritage site, which attracts students from all over the North East, as well as others parts of the country. �We recommend an amount of Rs 50 crore for improvement, upgrade and development works to cope with the increasing number of students and academic disciplines.�
On heritage, the State has sought funds for construction, as well as protection and maintenance of archaeological sites and monuments in the State. The Finance Commission sanctioned Rs 5 crore for protection, preservation and promotion of Satras of Majuli island.
For promotion of tourism, the Finance Commission awarded grant of Rs 50 crore for improvement of tourism infrastructure.
For police housing, the State Government highlighted shortage of houses and sought funds for adding to housing stock, for which the State Government projected a requirement of Rs 971.13 crore. The Finance Commission granted Rs 15 crore for construction of junior staff quarter in hills and remote areas and Rs 35 crore for construction of junior staff quarters in other areas.
The Finance Commission granted funds for police training to strengthen and expand the training and armed police wing. The Finance Commission awarded Rs 25 crore for construction of police academy and setting up of counter insurgency and jungle warfare school.
Interestingly, at a time when autonomous council of North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong is in the news for huge misappropriation of central funds, the Finance Commission recommended award of Rs 130 crore. The two hill districts have been given Rs 40 crore each, while Rs 50 crore has been granted to Bodoland Territorial Council.
