NEW DELHI, June 24 - With the flood season around the corner, the Assam BJP has called for more funds for flood management schemes in the Union Budget.
As part of the pre-budget exercise, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday held a meeting with Assam BJP MPs, including Union Minister of State for Food Processing Rameswar Teli, here this afternoon.
When contacted Lakhimpur MP Pradan Baruah told this newspaper that they mainly focused on two-three issues, including enhanced finance for flood management schemes (FMS). They also conveyed to the Finance Minister that most of the funds under the schemes are used up for payment of past liability, he said.
Under the circumstances, the Finance Ministry should devise ways to enable proper funding of flood management projects. The FMS also includes repair and construction of bunds and dykes in the State.
Another issue that came up for discussion during the meeting was the affairs of the Ministry of DoNER, with the MPs pointing out that some rules need to be framed to ensure smooth funding by the ministry. A tripartite meeting involving the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of DoNER and MPs of the Northeast was agreed to be convened to sort out the issue, Baruah said.
The MPs also brought up the problems faced by the tea industry as also the tea workers. It was agreed at the meeting that the Union Finance Minister would be visiting Assam soon after the presentation of the Union Budget on July 5 to discuss the problems faced by the tea industry.
The MPs also discussed some issues related to awards to the State by the Finance Commission, he added.
