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State Govt to bring out White Paper

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 7 � The State government will soon bring out a White Paper disclosing details of Central funds received by it during the previous UPA regime and the current NDA dispensation at the Centre.

�We will release a White Paper on how much Central funds we received from the Centre during the UPA period and during the NDA regime. If necessary, we will also lay it in the Assembly. Let the people know the details. If the Centre has anything contrary to say, let them also release their figures,� Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters here today.

Gogoi said that last year Rs 312.39 crore was allotted to the State under North Eastern Council, but the Centre only released Rs 71.84 crore. This year also, a similar sum was allotted, but only Rs 10 crore has been released so far.

Under the Non Lapsable Central Resource Pool, Rs 289.63 crore was allotted both last fiscal and this fiscal. But while only Rs 151 crore was released to the State last financial year, not a single rupee has come so far this year.

�This is the case not only with Assam, but the entire North-east and also other states. Should I not fight for justice? The Centre will have to give us funds. It will be forced to allot us funds,� he added.

He admitted that non allocation of Central funds has made it difficult for the State to properly implement the Budget, but added that there will be job cuts or reduction in expenditure for social welfare projects.

�Last year, the Central team which came to visit the State after the floods recommended Rs 414 crore as assistance. The Centre approved Rs 387 crore, but that amount has not yet been released,� he said.

Gogoi also criticised the BJP MPs from the State for remaining mute in Parliament and not raising issues concerning the State.

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