DIMAPUR, March 23 � The Nagaland Assembly today passed the budget for the fiscal 2012-13 amounting to Rs 7911.85 crore.
The budget was passed by voice vote after Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds Finance, replied to the objections raised by the Opposition Congress during the general discussion. �My government will examine all suggestions and take necessary steps for improvement,� he assured the House.
On the Budget 2012-13, Rio rubbished the Congress charges that it was �imaginary and hypothetical� and said the figures are real.
On the Congress contention that the borrowing limit was being crossed which would be disastrous for the future of the State, Rio said the Government has been maintaining the loan component within the prescribed limit while the debts are being closely monitored by the Ministry of Finance adhering to the prescribed formula by the 13th Finance Commission.
He said a Special Central Assistance was given by the Planning Commission which the State Government had been at liberty to use for payment of salaries, development or any other purpose. He also said it is incorrect to say 6th ROP was not implemented but assured the House that the govt will look into any complaint on the issue.
On the projected deficit, Rio said reduction is desired but said it cannot be avoided since the State�s own resources are too meagre. Agreeing that own resources need to be improved, he said, though law and order situation has improved, the tag of Disturbed Area Belt (DAB), AFSPA and factional clashes as well as local land control problems continue to deter investors from coming into the State.
