The two-day Budget session of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) concluded on Thursday.
On the concluding day, the normal budget of Rs 2,416.26 crore for the year 2018-19, placed by BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary, in-charge of Finance was approved in the House after general discussion.
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It is to be mentioned that the BTC has received just Rs 610 crore from the state this year for 32 lakh population and it is not possible to bring more development with normal budget.
Both the ruling and opposition parties have reiterated their demand for direct funding from the Centre for effective development in all sectors in the region.
Mohilary on Wednesday presented the estimated receipt and expenditure of normal budget of BTC (Councilized portion) worth Rs 2,429.87 crore and estimate expenditure of Rs 2,416.26 crore with a surplus of Rs 13.60 crore for consideration of the House, which was read out by BTC Deputy Chief Kampa Borgoyary on behalf of BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary.
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The budget stressed on improving road communication, education, rural development, health and agriculture among other development works in the BTC.
Mohilary said they would appraise the state government of Assam about various issues and grievances including implementation of project and schemes in the council among other issues.
Mohilary said the council was committed to achieve the growth target fixed as per the plan allocation.
He also said he and his party resolved and determined to work even harder with cooperation of all the BTC members to bring all round development of the region.
He further said the support of both the central and state government is required to achieve this goal.
Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition Rwngwra Narzary said the state government did not release adequate fund for BTC on population pattern.
The region should get at least Rs 3000 crore annually at 12.19 pc share as per population pattern but the state government has released an amount of Rs 610 crore which is not justified.
He said Sikkim was small state with a population of seven lakh but they are getting Rs 7000 crore.
He also said the holding of council budget session after the state budget was meaningless.
Rwngwra Narzary said there was need to proper verification while preparing budget as many schemes taken up by a department is also taken by other department.