Assam Minister for Hills Area Development (HAD), Mines & Minerals, Sum Ronghang, on Monday said late submission and non-submission of Utilisation Certificates (UCs) by departments under the KAAC is the reason of not getting funds released on time.
Minister Sum Ronghang said this during a tractor distribution ceremony for Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Pathar Parisalana Samiti (PPS) and individuals here on Monday at the Agriculture Department’s Engineering Campus.
The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, speaking on the occasion said the ‘Team Karbi Anglong’ will visit each Member of Autonomous Council (MAC) constituency from August 17 which will begin from Mahamaya.
Minister Sum Ronghang said KAAC funds would be released immediately after submission of UCs.
“Reports have come out in some local dailies that funds were not released for the first half of the year. The first half is from April 1 to September 30 and the second half is from October 1 to March 31. The fund for the first half was released late to KAAC in the month of July. But due to the short period for completing the works problem had arisen in producing UCs. Funds will be released immediately depending on the performance and speed of work. Whichever department can produce UCs will get the funds accordingly,” Minister Ronghang said.
The minister also said that the funds have not been released against those departments which failed to produce UCs on the implemented works. The minister said there is only one office of mines and minerals and it will be expanded to every district including Karbi Anglong. Discussion was held for creation of new office and posts for district offices.
He also came down heavily on the Revenue Department under KAAC saying it is unaware of its works. He pointed out its poor performance. “The Revenue Department under KAAC is still not sure about the number of revenue villages in the district. The Settlement branch has no data on the exact number of revenue villages,” said Minister Ronghang.
KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang on the occasion said, “Team Karbi Anglong will visit remote areas. On August 17, the Team Karbi Anglong comprising all EMs, MACs, Principal Secretary, Secretaries and Heads of all departments will start touring each MAC constituency starting from Mahamaya to know the problems of the people.”
He also said, “We will go to places where there is no electricity or road communication, where the schools have no buildings and education facilities. We will sit with the people and discuss their problems. In Singhason MAC constituency, there are remote places, where even the three-time MAC Pradip Singnar and now KAAC EM Amarsing Tisso have not gone. In Chinthong also, there are places where the four-time MAC and now EM, Pradip Rongpi has not reached.”
The CEM reiterated of taking development to the people. At the ceremony, a total of 363 SHGs, PPS and individuals received tractors at sub-subsidized rate under the Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY) from Agriculture Department, KAAC.
The function was also attended by Agriculture EM Amarsing Tisso, EMs, MACs and Principal Secretary Mahadananda Hazarika.