Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Fate of 41 Central-aided projects hangs in balance

By Ajit Patowary

GUWAHATI, Sept 25 � The fate of 41 Centrally-assisted flood management programme (FMP) schemes of the State, with a total estimated cost of around Rs 1387 crore, seems to be hanging in balance due to a change in the Centre�s policy to extend assistance to the State. This is despite Assam still enjoying a special category State status.

These projects include the ones like the Rs 361-crore Flood Management of River Ranganadi along with river training works on both banks� embankments; Rs 167.09-crore protection of Brahmaputra dyke in Biswanath-Panpur reach; Rs 105.96-crore Flood Management of River Dikrong along with river training works on both banks� embankments, etc.

According to information available with this newspaper, the Central government approved the continuation of these schemes in the last part of 2013 slapping the condition that the State government would have to bear 30 per cent of the costs of the projects.

The condition slapped by the Central government, that the State should bear 30 per cent of the costs of these projects, has made the State bear a burden of around Rs 360 crore on its own. This seems to be a heavy burden for the State.

Moreover, the State budget has allocated a very meagre amount of money against the above projects.

It is learnt that efforts are on to enhance allocation against these schemes. But, by this time, technical sanction to all these schemes is pending.

It needs mention here that these schemes were started in 2008-09 under the Eleventh Five Year Plan and continued till the end of that five-year plan. There was a delay of around one and half a years in obtaining the Central approval for their continuation.

Next Story