GUWAHATI, May 15 � Expressing concern over abolition of some Centrally-sponsored schemes and of changes in the funding patterns of others, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that Assam will have to bear an additional burden of over Rs 7,000 crore annually as a result of the Centre�s new policies.
The Chief Minister also said that such a situation may lead to retrenchment and cut in funds to vital sectors, like health and agriculture.
Speaking to reporters here, Gogoi said, �First, the funding pattern of many schemes has been changed and, secondly, some schemes have been scrapped. Funding pattern has been changed from 90-10 to 50-50 between Centre and State for many schemes. Some schemes have been totally abolished, while allocations for some others have been reduced to half,� he said.�
Gogoi added, �That may be all right for developed States like Gujarat and Maharashtra. But we will be badly affected. All States do not have the same level of development. We were given Special Category status so that the imbalance could be reduced.�
He said the Union Budget for 2015-16 has made drastic reduction in the allocation of funds for many important schemes and 12 programmes, which received budgetary support from the Centre till 2014-15, have now been completely delinked from Central support.
�We estimate that this would impact the State to the tune of Rs 4,051.64 crore as most of the schemes under these programmes have been started and cannot be given up half way. If there is a change in the funding pattern of the Centrally-sponsored schemes and also assuming that the State share will increase to 50 per cent, there will be a requirement of Rs 2,991.14 crore as State share, putting a huge burden on scarce State resources.
�The continuance of the Centrally-sponsored schemes and other Centrally-funded programmes at the levels of 2014-15 would therefore imply that the State government will have to Budget around Rs 7,042.78 crore just for these schemes, which include Rs 4,051.64 crore for the fully delinked programmes, plus Rs 2,991.14 crore as State share after the changed pattern of funding. This would put a very difficult strain on our resources� Our scarce resources would be tied up with funding these schemes and will not be available for any other priorities that we may have to the extent that is desired,� he said.
The Chief Minister added that cuts in allocation and changes in funding pattern will affect efforts at police modernisation, besides social projects in agriculture, watershed management, education, health and so on.
�As per the 14th Finance Commission recommendation, we should have got Rs 19,180 crore in 2015-16. But in the Union Budget, we were allotted only Rs 17,400 crore,� he said.
Gogoi said growth will be hampered and there might be retrenchment in social security projects if the Centre continues with its new policy.
Asked about reports about non-payment of salaries to government staff, Gogoi said, �Everyone is getting salary. Whatever may happen, we will continue to pay salaries.�
