A two day ‘Special Budget Session’ of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Legislative Assembly began on Wednesday at the BTC Assembly, Bodofa Nwgwr in Kokrajhar.
On the first day, various questions were put up by the opposition MCLAs. As per the government business, BTC Speaker Tridip Daimary announced the report of the Business Advisory Committee’s (BAC) under Rule 230 of the Council Legislative Assembly of the Budget Session.
The Speaker also announced the names of the members constituting the panel of chairman under Rule 9(1) of the rules of procedure and conduct of business in Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly.
The normal budget (Councilized portion) for the financial year of 2018-19 amounting to Rs 241626.49 lakh during the Council session was presented which was read out by BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary on behalf of chief of BTC, Hagrarma Mohilary.
The budget stresses mainly on road communication, health, agriculture, education, rural development and the likes.
An amount of Rs 4842.00 lakh was allocated for Public Works Department (PWD) under state own priority development (SOPD).
Rs 6577.00 is earmarked under state own priority development (SOPD) 2018-19 for panchayat and rural development.
An amount of Rs 7500.00 lakhs is earmarked for education sector in addition to allocation of fund under RMSA and SSA, Rs 2125.00 lakh for welfare of plains tribes and backward classes.
The council also earmarked an amount of Rs 2885.00 lakhs for Health and Family Welfare Department in addition to schemes implemented under national health mission.
Hagrama Mohilary said the council laid stress on improving road communication, health, agriculture, etc.
Mohilary said a review meeting will be held to review various development works in the transferred subject to BTC, in the first week of April along with the department officials to know the progress of the works and difficulties in its implementations and carrying out the works.
Opposition cynical: Opposition member Rwngwra Narzary expressed dissatisfaction with the Budget. He said there is nothing to be discussed about the Budget as everything depends on funds allocation by the State Government.
‘It is a ready-made Budget” he said.
Narzary said the Bodoland region — comprising the four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri — is a socially and economically backward region.
However, the Budget allocated to the region has showed lack of sincerity to develop the indigenous region.
Narzary said the BPF leaders, despite being an ally of the ruling government, could not put pressure to allot more funds to the BTC as per the population ratio.
The session started with a question hour where members of the opposition raised questions on various issues.