NEW DELHI, June 10 � Projecting a bleak future, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has resented the NDA government�s new financial policy, saying that the changing funding pattern and zero Central support would hit at least 12 critical Central schemes, besides jeopardising the fate of several social sector schemes.
Addressing a press conference today, the Chief Minister said that whatever had been promised by the Centre was not released, landing the State government in a serious financial crisis.
Dismissing the figures released by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on behalf of the BJP on Tuesday, Gogoi said the total funds released by the Government of India in 2013-2014 was Rs 15,747.31 crore. However, the Centre reduced the release of Central tax proceeds by Rs 1,959.89 crore in 2014-2015.
Similarly, the 13th Finance Commission had recommended allocation of Rs 14,240.60 crore for the year, but the actual release was only Rs 12,283.71 crore.
�Further, according to the Government of Assam�s Budget provision, we got a deficit amount of Rs 7,367.37 crore. This amount was even less than the actual release by Rs 2,114.68 crore. In fact, the release in 2014-2015 was even less than what was released in 2013-2014,� the Chief Minister alleged.
Gogoi said that because of the changed policy all the 12 Centrally sponsored schemes under 90:10 pattern and 100 per cent grant in case of some schemes, had stopped. �The State has incurred a loss of Rs 4,551 crore. If we decide to continue with the schemes we have to fund them from our own resources,� he said.
The schemes include modernisation of the police force, model schools, development of the export infrastructure, food processing, special assistance and development of tourism infrastructure to name a few.
Besides, the Centre has changed the funding pattern of some schemes to 50:50. Some other schemes that are likely to be hit include the social sector projects and health schemes, the Chief Minister rued.
Gogoi also refused to buy the BJP�s claim about enhanced funding under the 14th Finance Commission (FFC) regime, arguing that while on one hand they have indeed increased funding, on the other, they have taken it away by changing the funding pattern.
Reiterating his opposition to withdrawal of the Special Category State status, he said the special assistance schemes were launched to remove regional imbalances.
The Chief Minister has sought an appointment with Jaitley tomorrow. But he said that the request of the eight north-eastern Chief Ministers for an appointment with the Prime Minister has been pending for the last 45 days.
Chief Minister Gogoi was critical of the Prime Minister for turning a blind eye to the woes of the North-east. �Neither does he take up issues of concern of the region when he visits neighbouring countries, nor does he acknowledge our concerns,� he said.
The Chief Minister also regretted that Prime Minister Modi did not invite the Chief Ministers of the North-east to accompany him to Bangladesh. �Modi talks about Team India, but why were we left out?� he asked.
