GUWAHATI, Feb 28 � The Central Budget for the next financial year, which was presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley evoked mixed reactions in Assam. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has criticised the Budget, while the State unit of the BJP claimed that the party managed to fulfil the pre-poll promises.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogol termed the general Budget 2015-16 as pro-rich and pro-corporate.
Talking on the fund allocation for MGNREGA in the Budget, Gogoi said that it was done because of the pressure, criticism and demand of the majority of State governments and not for the Centre�s love for the poor.
The people of Assam and North East found no reason to cheer as the Budget remained silent on the steps for employment generation, flood and erosion. Instead of bringing back black money, the Centre has resorted to an escape route and assured of a legislation to deal with black money.
Gogoi also said that though the State Government demanded steps for strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises in the State, the Budget provided no incentives to the MSME sector, thus delving a blow to the efforts of the State Government in employment generation. In regard to skill development also, the Budget featured nothing new.
The Chief Minister also said that though the Centre gave an impression that it was for the development of the North East, the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy was suspended immediately after it came to power and this year�s Budget also announced nothing for creating industries and infrastructure in the region.
By announcing to set up an AIIMS-like institution in Assam, the Centre has tried to hoodwink the people as the State Government allotted land for the same last year, and the announcement was nothing new. The Centre also talked about setting up an IIM, but the Budget remained silent on the issue.
Gogoi, however, thanked the 14th Finance Commission for increasing the devolution of funds to the State to 42 per cent, though most States demanded 50 per cent increase. He further said that the Budget provided nothing new for Assam and the North East, except carrying forward the old schemes.
Welcoming the Budget, the Assam unit of BJP said that the party managed to take a step in the right direction in fulfilling the pre-poll promises. The BJP in a statement said that the thrust on social security would help the common people of the country.
The BJP thanked the Union Finance Minister for the decision to set up an AIIMS in Guwahati and pointed out that the priority for overall development of the North East region was also outlined in the Budget.
The CPM�s State unit opposed the Budget and decided to bring out a protest rally tomorrow to demand withdrawal of the �anti-people proposals.�
The Assam State branch of the Indian Medical Association welcomed the announcement to set up an AIIMS in the State.
The All Assam Students� Union (AASU) hailed the decision to set up an AIIMS in the State and said that it should be completed within a specific timeframe. But at the same time, the AASU criticised the Centre for its failure to announce any steps for permanent solution of the flood and erosion problems.
The AASU also pointed out that the long-pending demand for setting up of other national institutions like the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, River Research Institute etc should also be expedited. The students� body further said that the Union Government has announced special support to Bihar and West Bengal and wondered why Assam was not included for the same. The MPs should play an effective role to ensure that the State derives maximum benefit from the Budget, opined the AASU.
