Hon'ble Speaker
Sir,
I rise to present the detailed
Statement of the estimated receipts
and expenditure of the Government
of Assam for the financial year
2007 - 08.
2.
Before I proceed
to present the detailed
budget proposals, I would
like to apprise this august
House about the prevailing
economic environment in
the country as well as in
the State and the context
in which I am going to submit
the State budget proposals
for the ensuing financial
year for consideration of
the Hon'ble Members.
3.
According
to the Economic Survey,
2006-07 published by the
Government of India, GDP
growth rate for the country
as a whole was 9.0 percent
in 2005-06 and 9.2 percent
during the current financial
year 2006-07 so far. By
most accounts they surpassed
expectation. The projected
growth rate for the Eleventh
Five Year Plan (2007-08
to 2011-12) has been pegged
at 9 percent as compared
to 8 percent targeted by
Tenth Plan. Leading rating
agencies like Standard and
Poor's and Moody's have
upgraded India's sovereign
rating to investment grade
from speculative grade.
However, despite vigorous
growth with strong macro-economic
fundamentals that has characterized
the national economy during
the last few years, slow
growth rate of agriculture
and the looming threat of
inflationary pressure on
the price front are causing
serious concern. In terms
of the Wholesale Price index,
annual point-to- point inflation
was 6.11 percent on January
20, 2007. The inflation
rate in the corresponding
period of the previous year
was 4.24 percent. As per
advanced estimate, the growth
rate of agriculture and
allied sector has fallen
to 2.7 percent in 2006-07
as compared to 6 percent
in 2005-06 (quick estimates).
4.
Coming to
the State economy, I would
like to apprise the Hon'ble
Members that the growth
rate of Assam's Gross State
Domestic Product (GSDP)
in real terms at constant
(1999-2000) price is going
to be 5.9 percent during
the current year (as per
advanced estimates). This
was 5.9 percent during 2005-06
also and 5.3 percent in
2004-05. Hon'ble Members
will surely agree with me
that this is a significant
improvement over the 2.8
percent and 2.1 percent
GSDP Growth rate of Assam
during the entire Eighth
and Ninth Plan periods respectively.
The GSDP of Assam during
2005-06 has been worked
out at Rs.46,393.32 crore
at constant (1999-2000)
prices and Rs.57,596.96
crore at current prices
as against Rs.43,806.38
crore and Rs.51,322.64 crore
respectively during 2004-05.
The NSDP of Assam in 2005-06
were Rs.52,499.61 crore
and Rs.42,201.55 crore at
constant (1999-2000) prices.
As per advance estimates
the NSDP growth rate in
real terms is expected to
be 6.0 percent during 2006-
07. The per capita NSDP
of Assam at constant (1999-
2000) prices and current
prices were Rs.14,950 and
Rs.18,598 respectively during
the year 2005-06. As per
advance estimates for the
year 2006-07 the same were
expected to increase to
RS.15,585 and Rs. 20,143
respectively.
5.
On the
price front we witnessed
an increasing tendency
in Assam also during the
recent past. This is largely
attributable to the inflationary
pressure witnessed in
the country as a whole.
Many essential commodities
including some foodstuff
and construction materials
like cement come to Assam
from other States. Price
rise of such commodities
at source, withdrawal
of 6 percent railway freight
concession from the North-east
and increase in freight
charges by about 11% to
36% as a result of reclassification
of goods by the Railway
Authorities are also responsible
for rise in prices of
some commodities in the
State. We are taking all
necessary steps to ensure
that there is no hoarding
of essential commodities
leading to any artificial
and normal hike in prices.
I have also put in place
a system for monitoring
the price situation on
a weekly basis in consultation
with the Chambers of Commerce
and representatives of
wholesalers and retailers.
In his
2007-08 budget speech
the Union Finance Minister
has proposed to reduce
the present rate of excise
duty of Rs. 400/- per
metric tonne to Rs. 350/-
per metric tonne on cement
which is sold in retail
at not more than Rs. 190/-
per bag. But on cement
whose MRP is higher than
Rs. 190/- per metric tonne,
he has proposed to raise
the excise duty to Rs.
600/- per metric tonne.
MRP of cement in Assam
is mostly above Rs.190/-
per bag. As such the above
proposal of the Union
Finance Minister is going
to hit Assam hard. I propose
to take the matter up
with the Union Finance
Minister.
6.
Although the
GSDP growth rate of Assam
has risen significantly
as compared to 2.8 percent
and 2.1 percent during the
Eighth and Ninth Plans respectively,
at 5.9 percent it is still
below the national average
of 9.2 percent. Hon'ble
Members are aware that the
Eleventh Five Year Plan
will be launched from 1st
April 2007. As against the
targeted national GDP growth
rate of 9 percent for the
Eleventh Five Year Plan
period (2007-2012), Planning
Commission has proposed
a growth rate of 6 percent
for Assam. My goal is to
catch up with the all India
GDP growth rate. I am quite
confident that by 2011-12
Assam should achieve a GDP
growth rate of 9 percent
with an average annual growth
rate of 7.5 to 8 percent
during the 11th Plan period.
This will require substantial
improvement in the quality
and efficiency of our infrastructure
and public service delivery
system. My Government's
policies and actions will
be guided by these underlying
priorities.
7.
For the past
few decades the economic
development of the State
suffered mainly because
of :-
a)
Natural calamities
like flood
b)
Insurgency related violence
and its adverse effects
on the investment climate
c)
Debilitating financial
position of the State Government,
and
d)
A defeatist mindset caused
by years of economic stagnation.
We may not
have any control over natural
calamities like flood. As
I go by I shall apprise
this august House about
the steps I propose to take
for mitigation of floods
and erosion. The other three
problems are, however, essentially
man made. Their solutions
will necessarily have to
come from us. Although there
have been killings of some
innocent people by the ULFA
and other insurgent groups
from time to time, there
is no denying the fact that
the overall internal security
scenario of the State has
improved remarkably in the
recent past. The fear psychosis
which crippled the civil
society till very recently
is no more. The mindset
of the people, particularly
of the younger generation,
has also changed. Fear and
despondency have given way
to confidence, hope and
a forward looking outlook.
The grand success of the
recently concluded 33rd
National Games has amply
proved this point. It was
indeed heartening to see
the mass enthusiasm and
their wholehearted participation
in the Games. Through the
flawless conduct of the
National Games the people
of Assam has emphatically
proved that they are capable
of doing big things. After
years of financial paralysis,
I have been able to restore
the financial health of
the State and place it on
a path of sustainable long
term fiscal stability. After
many years the State Government
finds itself in a position
to think big for all round
development of the State
with the confidence and
comfort of a healthy exchequer.
8.
As the Hon'ble
Members are aware, till
recently the Government
of Assam was passing through
a severe financial crisis.
However, from 2001-02 we
have been taking a number
of corrective measures.
As a result of this, State
finances have improved considerably.
The revenue deficit, which
was (-) Rs.779.48 crore
in 2000-01 came down to
(-) Rs.291.87 Crore in 2004-05
and turned into a surplus
of Rs. 1509.08 crore in
2005-06. Similarly, fiscal
deficit, which was Rs. 1539.96
crore in 2000-01 has turned
into surplus of Rs.355.71
crore in 2005-06. On the
receipt front, tax revenue
of the State Government
has increased from Rs.1409.69
crore in 2000-01 to Rs.
3232.21 crore in 2005-06
and non-tax revenue has
gone from Rs.526.77 crore
in 2000-01 to Rs. 1459.28
crore in 2005-06. Overall
revenue collection from
the own taxes and non-tax
as well as transfer from
the Centre has shot up from
Rs.5637.64 crore in 2000-01
to Rs. 12045.39 crore in
2005-06. Share of State's
own revenue receipts (Tax
and Non-Tax) in the total
revenue receipts has increased
from 34.35 percent in 2000-01
to |38.95 percent in 2005-06.
On the other hand, central
share in total revenue receipts
has declined from 65.65
percent to 61.05 percent.
This is an indicator of
our growing self reliance.
With the sustained effort
of the Government, the share
of State's own tax collection
in overall revenue receipt
has increased as compared
to increase of central transfer.
On the fiscal front, State
Government has attained
tremendous success in reducing
the ratio of revenue deficit
to revenue receipt from
20 percent in 1999-2000
to 2.94 percent in 2004-05
and attained a positive
ratio of 12.53 percent of
revenue surplus to revenue
receipts in 2005-06. Thus,
the FRBM target and 12th
Finance Commission Debt
relief stipulation of reduction
of revenue deficit to zero
by 31st March 2009 has been
fully achieved well before
time.
9.
I would like
to assure this august House
that our financial reform
programme under ADB funded
under Assam Governance and
Public Resource Management
programme [AGPRMP] will
continue. We are scheduled
to finalize and implement
Sub Programme-II of AGPRMP
from the next financial
year. Similarly, reform
of the public sector enterprises
including closure and revitalization
of the sick ones will also
continue. So far we have
released Rs.253.05 crore
for OTS payment against
defaulted dues of the State
level PSUs and Rs.140.98
crore for VRS payment. I
have provided Rs.60.00 crore
and Rs.137.65 crore for
OTS and VRS payment respectively
for the next fiscal.
10.
AFC- The Assam
Financial Corporation [AFC]
had played a vital role
in the past for the development
of Small and Medium Industries
[SMEs]. Due to its weak
financial position arising
out of poor recovery and
various other reasons, it
was compelled to stop lending
to our entrepreneurs. I
have decided to revitalize
the AFC and have already
released Rs.64 crore to
liquidate its outstanding
dues against State Government
guaranteed SLR Bonds. There
still remains a balance
of Rs.10.42 crore of such
un-discharged SLR Bonds.
This is also being released
before 31st March 2007.
With this, Assam Financial
Corporation will be fully
free from any un-discharged
SLR Bond liability. As a
result of this AFC will
be able to source financing
from the market at competitive
rates and resume their on-lending
operation to the small and
medium scale industries
in the State in full swing.
11.
Another reform
measure undertaken by the
State Government is pension
reforms. Pension liabilities
of the State Government
have been rising relentlessly
and exponentially. For instance,
financial outflow on account
of pension payments to retired
State Government employees
has increased from Rs.180.40
crore in 1995-96 to Rs.1011.48
crore in 2005-06. Increase
in the number of pensioners,
enhancement of the pensionary
benefits following Pay Commission
recommendations, merger
of 50 percent Dearness Relief
with basic pension and increasing
life span of the pensioners
are the underlying causes
of the exponential growth
of pension liabilities.
The Government of India
has meanwhile announced
a Contributory Pension Scheme
for their employees. In
line with Government of
India policy, the State
Government has also taken
a decision in principle
to switch over to a Contributory
Pension Scheme which will
be applicable to the new
employees who have joined
State Government service
or after 1st February, 2005.
Details of the new scheme
will be notified and implemented
after finalization of the
same by Government of India,
which is expected soon.
12.
Hon'ble Members
are aware that till March
2005 the loan proceeds of
Externally Aided Project
(EAP)s were transferred
by the Centre to the special
category States including
Assam as 90 percent grant
and 10 percent loan. However,
under the 12th Finance Commission
award, Government of India
decided to transfer such
external loans to all states
on a back-to-back basis,
i.e., as 100 percent loan.
I took up the matter strongly
with Government of India.
I would like to thank Hon'ble
Prime Minister of India
Dr. Manmohan Singh for his
positive intervention in
the matter. I am happy to
inform you that Government
of India has now agreed
to continue the earlier
pattern of 90 percent grant
and 10 percent loan for
the special category states.
We have now accelerated
our efforts to avail substantial
World Bank assistance for
PWD Roads project and ADB
assistance for flood mitigation
as well as for financial
sector reforms. As a result
of continuance of 90:10
pattern of funding EAP projects,
Assam will stand to benefit
about Rs.2655 crore on account
of the three above mentioned
projects alone.
13.
Assam's Annual
Plan size for 2007-08 has
been fixed at Rs.3,800 crore
as compared to Rs.3,507
crore in 2006-07. Hon'ble
Members may like to note
the Annual Plan size of
Assam has increased significantly
during the last few years.
In 2000-01 it was only Rs.1,520
crores. More than half of
this outlay had to be spent
on payment of plan salary
and wages. Another 20 percent
of normal central assistance
for the plan was diverted
to meet non-plan deficit.
In next year's plan outlay
of Rs.3,800 crore, salary
and wages comprise only
Rs.10.30 crore, which is
less than 1 percent of the
total outlay. Moreover,
instead of diverting any
plan fund for meeting non-plan
deficit, the State Government
has made a positive contribution
of Rs.271.65 crore from
its own resources for 2007-08
annual plan.
14.
In making the sectoral
allocation for 2007-08
annual plan, a conscious
effort has been made to
provide maximum possible
amount as State share
against various Centrally
Sponsored Schemes with
a view to maximizing the
flow of corresponding
central shares to the
State. As compared to
Rs.537 crore in 2006-07,
an amount of Rs.600 crore
has been provided as State
share for this purpose
in 2007-08. Out of this
Rs.300 crore will be available
as State share towards
various rural development
programme, Rs.70 crore
for the Special Nutrition
Programme, Rs.50.69 crore
for the Power Sector,
Rs. 40 crore for Accelerated
Rural Water Supply Scheme
and Rs.30 crore as State
share for the Mid-day
Meal Programme for school
children. It is hoped
that this State share
coupled with the corresponding
central shares will give
a significant boost to
implementation of important
centrally sponsored schemes
in the above mentioned
sectors. Agriculture and
the allied sectors have
been given the highest
priority with 12 percent
of the total plan allocation.
Development of trade,
industry, commerce and
the services sectors have
also been given due importance
with focus on employment
generation.
State's annual plan 2007-08
includes an amount of
Rs.984-91 crore towards
various Externally Aided
Projects (EAP). Another
highlight is that it includes
an amount of Rs.400 crore,
which is an all time high,
as one-time Additional
Central Assistance grants
for various projects/schemes
to be prioritized by the
State Government.
Kalpataru, Gyanjyoti
and Dharmajyoti schemes
have become very popular.
I propose to continue
them in the next financial
year also. Accordingly,
a provision of Rs.40 crore
has been made for Kalpataru
in 2007-08 annual plan.
Under the revised guidelines
which have become effective
from the current year,
benefits under Kalpataru
will be available for
the members of the Self
Help Groups also. Provision
of Rs.1 crore each for
Gyanjyoti and Dharmajyoti
programmes and Rs. 1.5
crore for the Randhan
Jyoti programme have also
been kept in 2007-08 budget.
Similarly, Rajiv Gandhi
Computer Literacy Programme
will also be continued
in the next financial
year and a provision of
Rs.25.00 crore have been
kept. Distribution of
computers to bright students
under Anando Ram Barooah
Award Scheme has become
very popular. This scheme
will be continued and
an amount of Rs.20.00
crore have been kept for
this in 2007-08 budget.
15.
Hon'ble Members are aware
that the extent and intensity
of institutional credit
in Assam is much less
than in other parts of
the country. As against
a credit deposit ratio
of 72 percent for India,
the credit deposit ratio
of Assam was 45.51 percent
as on 31st March 2006,
which improved to 48.82
percent in September 2006.
I am happy to inform
the Hon'ble members that
the RBI in consultation
with the State Government
has adopted a new Credit
Policy for the North East.
This 'Financial Sector
Plan', launched in October
2006, includes specific
interventions like No
Frills Accounts, General
Credit Cards, etc aimed
at enhancing credit delivery
and absorption in the
State. The vexed issue
of land collateral for
loans has also been sought
to be resolved. A Committee
chaired by the Chief Secretary
will monitor the implementation
of this Plan.
The State Government
is committed to ensure
easier access to bank
credit in the rural areas.
The share Capital of Rs.13.40
crore that was due to
the Regional Rural Banks
[RRBs] from the State
Government since 1996-97
has been fully released
during this year. Strengthening
of the RRBs will facilitate
easier flow of credit
to the agriculture and
rural industries.
16.
Welfare of
the Scheduled Tribes, both
in the Hills and the Plains,
Scheduled Castes and other
Backward Classes have always
been very high in my list
of priorities. For 2007-08
I have significantly augmented
the plan allocations meant
for them. The allocation
of TSP have increased to
Rs.33.58 crore from Rs.26.02
crore in 2006-07. Similarly,
allocation for SCSP has
also been increased to Rs.81.09
crore from Rs.54.16 crore
in 2006-07. The allocation
for BTC has also been increased
to Rs.130.00 crore from
Rs. 104.00 crore in 2006-07.
So far, Government of India
has released an amount of
Rs.210.26 crore to the State
Government against projects
to be implemented exclusively
in BTC area from the Non-Lapsable
Pool. State Government has
to release this amount to
BTC as per guidelines laid
down by Government of India.
Till now State Government
has released Rs.141.58 crore
to the BTC. I have kept
necessary provision in 2007-08
budget for expeditious release
of the balance Rs.68.68
crore to the BTC. I hope
that State Level Standing
Committee constituted under
the guidelines of the Government
of India will approve the
remaining proposals received
from BTC without any delay
so that balance amount can
be released to BTC as early
as possible. The allocation
for the six other Autonomous
Councils, viz., Mishing
Autonomous Council, Rabha
Hasong Autonomous Council,
Tiwa Autonomous Council,
Deuri Autonomous Council,
Sonowal Kachari Autonomous
Council and Thengal Kachari
Autonomous Council have
also been increased to Rs.
59.09 crore from Rs. 45.63
crore in 2006-07.
17.
Protection,
preservation and promotion
of cultural heritage of
the indigenous tribes of
Assam will be given priority.
I have kept a provision
of Rs.10.00 crore in 2007-08
plan budget for establishment
of a Integrated Tribal Culture
Research and Demonstration
Project. I have also kept
a provision of Rs.1.00 crore
in next year's non-plan
budget for establishment
of a cultural complex at
Sonapur near Guwahati to
showcase the cultural heritage
of the State.
18.
All-round
development of the two hill
districts will continue
to be given high priority
in the next financial year
also. Allocation for the
two hill District Councils
out of the normal State
plan has been stepped up
from Rs.90.00 crore in 2006-07
to Rs. 124.00 crore in 2007-08.
This has been further supplemented
by Special Central Assistance
amounting to Rs.92.90 crore.
Thus total plan allocation
for the two hill District
Councils for 2007-08 will
be Rs.216.90 crore.
19.
All-round
socio-economic development
and welfare of the Tea Tribes
occupies a high position
in my list of priorities.
I propose to enhance the
plan allocation for this
purpose from Rs.10.00 crore
in 2006-07 to Rs.23.00 crore
in 2007-08. Similarly, I
propose to increase the
plan allocation for welfare
of the minorities and development
of the Char areas from Rs.7.10
crore in 2006-07 to Rs.17.00
crore in 2007-08. Plan allocation
for the remote and difficult
border areas is also proposed
to be raised from Rs.11.00
crore in 2006-07 to Rs.14.52
crore in 2007-08. Provision
of road connectivity, drinking
water, health and educational
facilities, power supply
and generation of employment
will be given emphasis in
these special problem areas.
20.
The State
Government's initiative
to expedite allotment, settlement
and conversion of lands
in rural areas to give the
benefit of title and credit
worthiness to the poor farmers
is continuing. Since May
2001, Revenue Department
has already allotted more
than 1.23 lakh bighas of
land to 39,854 landless
families. Further an area
of 87,587 bighas of land
has been settled with 22,231
families. The exemption
from payment of land revenue
by the small and marginal
farmers owning land up to
6 bighas is continuing.
To augment resources, the
State Govt. has issued directions
to strictly enforce the
provisions of the amended
Indian Stamp (Assam) Amendment
Act 2003. Till the third
quarter of the financial
year 2006-07, an amount
of Rs.39.29 crore has already
been collected by way of
Stamp duty.
21.
At present
there are 13 numbers of
on going flood protection
and anti erosion schemes
in the Brahmaputra and Barak
Valleys. Along with the
continuing schemes, it is
proposed to take up 20 new
schemes during the next
financial year. For this
purpose resource will be
available from State Plan,
RIDF, North Eastern Council
and NLCPR. An amount of
Rs.214.95 crore has been
proposed in 2007-08 budget
as against Rs.199.32 crore
in the current year. For
maintenance and repair of
existing flood control and
anti-erosion schemes, I
propose to raise the non
plan budget provision to
Rs.20.00 crore in the budget
2007-08 as against Rs.6.38
crore in 2005-06. For providing
Technical Assistance to
the Assam Integrated Flood
Management and Erosion Mitigation
Project, the Asian Development
Bank has sanctioned Rs.
4 crore as grant and this
work will start during this
year. The main project will
involve an expenditure of
Rs.1600 crore (approximately).
It is proposed to be funded
by ADB.
22.
Assam is primarily an
agrarian economy with
nearly 87% of its population
living in the rural areas
and nearly 70% of them
being dependent on agriculture
and the allied sectors
for their livelihood.
Hence, the importance
of agriculture and horticulture
in our development priorities
needs no emphasis. Normally
it is flood and erosion
that adversely affects
our agricultural development.
Last year however, it
was an abnormal drought
like situation that impeded
agricultural growth in
the State. The State Government
took a number of schemes
to tackle this situation.
For the various schemes
like supply of diesel,
free tractorization and
supply of free inputs
like seeds etc. an amount
of Rs.35 crore was released.
Agriculture is a major
component of the Assam
Agriculture Competitiveness
Project. Installation
of shallow tube wells,
low lift pumps, distribution
of tractors and power
tillers, as well as provision
of irrigation facilities
through sprinklers, will
be continued under this
project in the next fiscal
also.
Further, the Horticulture
Technology Mission brought
4580 hectares of land
under area expansion programme
and 255 hectares of land
under assured irrigation.
77 nos. of power tillers
were distributed to farmers
in addition to setting
up of 72 nos. of Vermi-compost
units. 1387 nos. of farmers
were trained, both within
and outside the state.
Cultivation of cashewnut
has been introduced successfully.
Its area coverage has
increased substantially
from 50 hectares in 2000-01
to 2050 hectares.
During 2007-08, the
State Government proposes
to distribute inputs such
as Power Tillers, LLPs,
Power Threshers, Hand
Compression Sprayers,
Testing Kit, Bio Fertilizer
and Bio pesticides, small
improved agricultural
implements etc. to agriculturists
having Kishan Credit Cards.
The Government also proposes
to give a thrust to agricultural
mechanization through
distribution of tractors
and creation of Fertilizer
Sale Depots in each district.
The total budget allocation
for agriculture sector
for 2007-08 is proposed
for Rs.365.50 crore against
current year allocation
of Rs.327.52 crore.
23.
In view of
the severe drought-like
situation last year, I have
provided interest relief
of 2 percent to all farmers
on crop loans up to Rs.20,000/-
disbursed during the current
fiscal [2006-07]. The scheme
is being implemented through
NABARD and is in addition
to the similiar scheme of
Union Government. With access
to cheaper credit, our 2.7
million farmers will be
able to make good their
kharif losses to a large
extent through intensive
rabi cultivation.
I have also decided to revive
and revitalize our 754 Primary
Cooperative Credit Societies
[PCCS] operating at the
grass root level. The GPSSs
will be geared up to function
as a single window delivery
point for all agriculture
inputs like credit, seeds,
fertilizers, tools &
equipment to farmers at
their doorstep. At the first
instance, I am arranging
to release an amount of
Rs.20.83 crore for liquidating
the principal debt of these
credit societies so that
they can resume lending
to our farmers.
24.
Assam is one
of the Bio-diversity hot
spots in the world. We have
hardly exploited the commercial
value of the indigenous
herbs and medicinal and
aromatic plants. I propose
to take steps for popularization
and commercial plantation
of such plants. For this
purpose I have provided
an amount of Rs.1.00 crore
in 2007-08 in Forest Department's
budget. Forest Department
will set up medicinal and
aromatic plant gardens and
nurseries in different districts
of the State.
25.
Out of the State's estimated
total irrigation potential
of 27 lakh hectares, Irrigation
Department has so far
been able to create 6.87
lakh hectares of irrigation
potential. At present
there are 7 numbers of
ongoing major and medium
irrigation projects. The
number of ongoing minor
irrigation projects is
1180. A target of creating
additional irrigation
potential of 5200 hectares
under major and medium
irrigation projects has
been fixed for 2007-08.
For this purpose Rs.30.00
crore will be available
as Additional Central
Assistance under the State
plan. This amount will
be further augmented by
an amount of Rs.55.00
crore under AIBP for which
Rs.8.00 crore has been
provided as State share
under the State plan.
Similarly, under minor
irrigation sector, it
has been decided to create
additional 9100 hectares
of irrigation potential
at an estimated cost of
Rs.54.74 crore with loan
assistance from NABARD
under RIDF and central
loan assistance under
AIBP.
To upgrade the Rural
Infrastructure in a time
bound manner in four years
under the 'Bharat Nirman
Programme', Assam has
contemplated to bring
another 1,14,603 hectares
by taking up works in
Major/Medium and Minor
Irrigation Schemes by
2009 for which an amount
of Rs.402.26 crore will
be required. The work
is in progress with the
help of funding under
AIBP, NABARD and State
Plan.
In addition to creation
of new Irrigation facilities,
I am equally concerned
with proper maintenance
and repairing of Irrigation
infrastructure that have
already been created.
For this purpose, I propose
to raise the non-plan
budget allocation for
maintenance and repair
from Rs.1.97 crore in
2006-07 budget estimate
to Rs.6.05 crore in 2007-08.
I shall not hesitate to
provide more fund for
repair, maintenance and
restoration of the idle
capacity already created.
26.
The State Government
has given special emphasis
on rural water supply
programme through provision
of safe drinking water
for problem habitations
in the line of Bharat
Nirman Programme objectives.
During 2006-07, against
the target for coverage
of 144 Nos. of Not Covered
(NC) and 2500 Nos. Partially
Covered (PC) habitations
through spot source and
piped water supply programmes,
we have been suceessful
in covering 57 Nos. of
Not Covered (NC) and 1652
Nos. of Partially Covered
(PC) habitations so far.
Under Bharat Nirman Programme,
full coverage of Comprehensive
Action Plan (CAP99) along
with slipped back habitations,
providing alternate arrangement
for Arsenic and Fluoride
affected habitations and
School water supply schemes
are proposed to be taken
up during 2007-08 on priority
basis. Allocation for
rural water supply under
State Plan during 2007-08
is Rs.50.60 crore and
expected provision for
2007-08 under Centrally
Sponsored Schemes is Rs.266.67
crore.
In respect of rural sanitation,
projects under Total Sanitation
Campaign involving construction
of a substantial no. of
Individual Household Latrines
(IHHL), Anganwadi Toilets,
Rural Sanitary Marts etc.
have been proposed during
2007-08, besides carrying
out Information, Education,
Communication (IEC), and
Awareness Campaigns simultaneously.
The allocation under
Rural Sanitation for 2007-08
is Rs.6 crore.
27.
I have started many initiatives
in the health sector.
All these initiatives
mainly centre around making
the Healthcare services
and delivery system more
easily affordable and
accessible to the poor
and the needy.
It is my privilege to
inform the august House
that in the current year
the number of institutional
delivery in Government
hospitals has significantly
shot up to 1.6 lakh. The
percentage of fully immunized
children has gone up from
30 percent to 65 percent.
With the help of fund
provided from State Budget,
National Rural Health
Mission (NRHM) and 12th
Finance Commission, we
have been able to pump
in almost Rs.500 crore
for infrastructure development
of Medical Colleges, District
Hospitals, Community Health
Centres and Sub-Centres
in the year 2006-07. We
have provided Rs.100 crore
to Gauhati Medical College
alone to improve the status
of Medical Education and
Healthcare. I would like
to continue the same momentum
in the coming financial
year also and initiate
similar financial assistance
to Assam Medical College
& Hospital (AMC&H)
and Silchar Medical College
& Hospital (SMC&H)
in the coming financial
year.
We will establish 8 (eight)
new GNM training schools
at Darrang, Karimganj,
Hailakandi, Morigaon,
Kokrajhar, Goalpara, N.C.
Hills and Karbi Anglong
districts at a cost of
Rs. 40.00 crore from NRHM
in order to augment requirement
of manpower in Nursing
sector.
I have also earmarked
Rs.50.00 crore from NRHM
for setting up of 5 (five)
new District Hospitals
at Kamrup, Baska, Udalguri,
Bongaigaon and Chirang.
5 (five) new Regional
Diagnostic Centres will
be established at Kokrajhar,
Mangaldoi, Hailakandi,
Haflong and Mohendra Mohan
Choudhury Hospital (MMCH)
for which I have already
provided Rs.17.50 crore
from the State budget.
We have already introduced
a Bill for establishment
of a new Medical University
named "Srimananta
Sankardeva University
of Health Sciences"
before this august House
for consideration. Along
with this, 1 have also
earmarked Rs.90.00 crore
for setting up 3 (three)
new Medical Colleges at
Jorhat, Tezpur and Barpeta
respectively in the Budget.
I have also earmarked
Rs.30 crore for setting
up of a PET (Positron
Emission Tomography) in
GMC&H, which will
be a modern Diagnostic
Technology for detecting
cancer in its early stage.
A new treatment of Oncology
will also be set up in
GMC&H. New Super Specialty
courses will be opened
in subjects - Cardiology,
Nephrology etc. during
the coming year. We will
complete installation
of MRI in 3 Medical Colleges
within May 2007 and I
propose to provide another
MRI to Jorhat Civil Hospital.
Mobile Medical Units (MMUs)
will be provided to each
district in the year 2007-08.
We will also provide Boat
Clinics for Char areas.
I am happy to inform
you that the promise made
in the last Budget Speech
to provide incentives
to doctors posted in rural
and interior areas have
been kept. I have also
significantly increased
stipend for PG student
from Rs.7,ooo/- to Rs.11,ooo/-
per month. Now it is expected
that these doctors will
dedicate themselves wholeheartedly
in the service of humanity.
I have increased daily
diet rate of poor patient
from Rs.10/- to Rs.25/-
per day. We will soon
launch a new scheme to
provide pacemaker to heart
patients at an affordable
price.
Health & Family Welfare
Department's budget for
procurement of medicine
for poor patients for
the current year is Rs.35.50
crore. For 2007-08 I have
raised this amount to
Rs. 49.00 crore.
All efforts will be made
to ensure that these initiatives
benefit the poor and underprivileged.
28.
The World
Development Report 2007,
titled Development And The
Next Generation, has commented
that "......decisions
during five youth transitions
have the biggest long-term
impact on how human capital
is kept safe, developed
and deployed; continuing
to learn, starting to work,
developing a healthful lifestyle,
beginning a family, and
exercising citizenship....
Young people and their families
make the decisions - but
policies and institutions
also affect the risks, the
opportunities, and ultimately
the outcomes". My policies
and programmes for the next
fiscal have been put through
such a "youth lens'.
29.
Extension
of education to hitherto
un-served and underserved
areas like char, tea garden
and border areas will receive
special attention of my
Government. Improvement
in the quality of education
will be the other thrust
area. Sarva Siksha Abhijan
Mission is our flagship
programme in primary education.
In the next fiscal also
it will continue to be implemented
with full vigour. Necessary
State share to avail larger
central allocation will
be made available. My Government
has launched a massive programme
to develop infrastructure
in primary and middle school
level by providing additional
class room, repairs and
renovation of existing buildings,
providing toilet facilities
and drinking water and also
cooking shed for the mid-day
meal programme.
30.
A new programme
called "Scheme for
Universal Access and Quality
at the Secondary Stage (SUCCESS)"
is being launched by the
Central Government. Under
this scheme, access to secondary
education will be widened
with emphasis on girls,
SCs and STs, particularly
in science, commerce and
Vocational studies. We are
committed to avail benefits
under this scheme and have
started preliminary works.
This scheme would ensure
quality education at secondary
level.
31.
In my 6th
February 2006 Vote on Account
speech, I gave an open invitation
to private investment in
technical and professional
education in the State.
As a follow up of this announcement,
a comprehensive legislation
"Assam Private University
Bill, 2007" has been
introduced in the House.
This will provide a suitable
legal framework to potential
private investors to invest
in the field of higher education
with a comfortable degree
of stability in Government
policy. Our student would
not have to spend lakhs
of rupees and go thousands
of miles to pursue quality
technical and professional
education. Hon'ble members
will be happy to know that
the Krishna Kanta Handique
State Open University has
been established and they
would offer a number of
courses from the coming
academic session i.e. 2007-08.
Similarly, five year integrated
law course at B.R.M. Government
Law College would also begin
this year.
For the poor and physically
challenged students I propose
to introduce two new schemes
in 2007-08. One is merit
scholarship for children
below poverty line. The
other one is psecial scholarship
to the physically challenged
students. I also propose
to give, in a phased manner,
bicycles to below poverty
line girl students between
class VI and class X in
rural areas.
I have provided Rs. 4 crore
each in 2007-08 plan budget
as special Grant-in-aid
to Gauhati and Dibrugarh
Universities. I also propose
to give special development
grants of Rs. 4 crore each
to Jorhat Engineering College
and Assam Engineering College,
Guwahati in the next fiscal
year. A library grant of
Rs. 2 Lakh each to the colleges
and Rs. 1 lakh each to the
Government aided as well
as Government Higher Secondary
and High schools.
I have proposed a total
budget allocation of Rs.
3704.67 crore for the education
sector for 2007-08.
32.
I have kept
a provision of Rs. 9.00
crore in 2007-08 budget
for purchase and distribution
of books to district and
sub-divisional libraries.
33.
I am extremely
happy to inform the Hon'ble
Members of this august House
that one unit of 2 x 50
MW Karbi Langpi Hydro Electric
Project (KLHEP) was commissioned
on 31st January, 2007 and
it is supplying 50 MW of
power regularly. The second
unit of KLHEP will be commissioned
within this month. We are
giving utmost importance
for increasing of generation
capacity in the State under
the State Sector and accordingly
the implementation of the
37 MW Lakwa Waste Heat Project
is also going on in full
swing and is expected to
be commissioned next year.
The implementation of 3x50
MW Lower Kopili Hydro Electric
Project and 100 MW Phase-I
of 200 MW Namrup Replacement
Project is under active
consideration of the State
Government.
The State Govt. provided
an amount of Rs.55.81
Crore during 2006-07 as
counter-part fund against
the Projects implemented
by ASEB and its successor
companies with funds from
ADB. An amount of Rs.50.69
Crore has been allocated
for 2007-08 under the
same head. These projects
include construction of
12 new Grid Substations,
augmentation of all the
existing Grid Substations,
installation of four lakh
new electronic meters
in the premises of the
consumers and will be
completed by December
2007. With commissioning
of these projects, the
transmission and transformation
capacity in the State
will increase considerably
to around 1300 MW from
the existing 800 MW. The
implementation of APDRP
works in the State are
in the final stage and
it is expected that all
the projects will be completed
in next 6 month's time.
In the current year, amount
of Rs.47.08 crore has
been released as State
share for APDRP, in addition
to an amount of Rs.85.00
Crore, being the Central
Share. An amount of Rs.100.00
Crore has been kept for
these projects in the
year 2007-08.
Assam is lagging behind
most of the other States
in the country in rural
household electrification.
Even though 77% of the
villages in the state
are electrified, only
around 20% of the households
in the villages have electric
supply. Under the Rajiv
Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran
Yojana (RGGVY), the State
Govt has already submitted
Project Reports for all
the 23 districts in the
State (as per 2001 census)
for an amount of Rs.1500
Crore (approximately).
We have already received
sanction for 7 districts
and in principle for another
8 districts. We are pursuing
with Government of India
for sanction for the remaining
districts. On completion
of the RGGVY works, an
additional around 10 lakh
below poverty line (BPL)
families will be benefited
by electric connection
to their households. We
have also taken up electrification
of the remote villages
in the State. Around 500
villages are proposed
to be electrified by new
and renewable sources
during 2007-08. Further,
an amount of Rs.12 crore
has been provided for
in the 2007-08 budget
for installation and replacement
of damaged Transformers
throughout the state under
the Chief Minister's Power
Supply Assurance Mission.
34.
With the setting
up of the Guwahati Metropolitan
Area Network (MAN) project
and its extension to the
greater Guwahati areas during
the 33rd National Games,
the city of Guwahati now
has a very high speed data
and internet network.
It is expected that the
Assam State Wide Area
Network (ASWAN) and the
Common Service Centres
(CSC) programme, under
the aegis of the NeGP,
would be in place by the
end of this year. This
would enable delivery
of citizen centric services
to the rural areas; and
this activity is likely
to promote rural entrepreneurship
and greatly help in skilled
development of the educated
youth.
A new IT College in PPP
mode is soon going to
be started. To attract
investment in IT in the
State, it is proposed
to set up an IT park in
Guwahati with all modern
plug and play infrastructure.
35.
The Government
of Assam is taking various
steps as facilitator for
the development of Industries
& Commerce in the State.
The State Government has
taken all possible steps
to attract investment and
make the State a regional
hub of industrial activities.
Schemes like New Industrial
Policy 2003 are being implemented
to encourage entrepreneurs
by providing various incentives.
The State Government took
up with the Centre for extension
of the validity of North
East Industrial Policy,
1997 with suitable modifications
to make it more attractive.
I am happy to inform this
august house that the Union
Finance Minister has stated
in his last budget speech
that the new industrial
policy for NER, with suitable
fiscal incentives, will
be in place before March
31, 2007.
While trying to attract
big investors to the State,
the Government has not
forgotten to take adequate
care of the traditional
and Small Scale industries
which is the vehicle for
achieving economic development
in urban and rural areas
and which is also a provider
of large scale employment.
With a view to achieving
development and creation
of self employment opportunities
in the Tinyand Small Industries
sectors including the
Small Business Enterprises,
schemes like Mukhya Mantrir
Achani and Udyogjyoti
Achani were introduced.
Under Mukhya Mantrir Karmajyoti
Achani, raw materials,
tool and kits are provided
to the beneficiaries.
A total of 1,07,000 numbers
of youth will be benefited
under the Scheme. Provision
has also been made for
giving special incentives
to the youth belonging
to the Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes under
the above schemes.
Seven numbers of infrastructure
development schemes are
at various stages of implementation.
The schemes are located
at Malinibeel, Dimow,
Titabor, Rangia, Dahudi,
Banderdewa, Silapathar.
Similarly two Growth Centre
are also at different
stages of implementation.
The schemes are at Chariduwar
and Matia respectively.
Similarly, Food processing
park at Chayagaon is also
in the last stage of completion.
The scheme is expected
to be completed during
this year.
We propose to take up
construction of second
phase of Export Promotion
Industrial Park at Amingaon
during this financial
year itself. A centrally
funded Permanent Exhibition
cum Trade Centre at Guwahati
to showcase the various
industrial products is
ready for commissioning.
The entire amount of
Rs.58.17 crore towards
land acquisition cost
of the Assam Gas Cracker
project has been released.
An additional amount of
Rs.25.00 crore has been
kept for this project
in 2007-08 budget. Its
implementation at site
will commence in the part
of the next financial
year. Before that I propose
to write to the Hon'ble
Prime Minister of India
Dr. Manmohan Singh and
request him to kindly
lay the foundation stone
of the project some time
next month.
I understand that some
incentives and subsidies
under the state Industrial
policies have remained
unpaid. I propose to clear
these outstanding dues
in a phased manner. To
begin with I have kept
a provision of Rs.5 crore
in 2007-08 non plan budget
so as to clear dues of
small enterprises whose
un-disbursed amount is
within Rs.2 Lakh.
Beginning with the Second
Five Year Plan, a large
number of Industrial Estates
were set up all over the
state. Many of them are
today in a dilapidated
condition and have remained
unutilized. In 2007-08
non plan budget, I have
provided an amount of
Rs.6.oo Crore for their
repair and restoration.
36.
Handloom
Textile & Sericulture
is not only part of our
cultural heritage, but it
is also important part of
the State economy. It is
proposed to assist at least
10,000 poor weavers through
distribution of looms and
accessories as grant in
aid. Continuing scheme like
- Project Package Scheme,
Integrated Handloom Village
Development Project, Handloom
Development Centre, Deen
Dayal Yojana, Handloom Export
Scheme and Integrated Handloom
Training Programme etc.
will be implemented in the
next fiscal also with added
thrust.
37.
There is
an urgent need for improving
the housing facilities in
rural areas of Assam. While
the BPL families are being
taken care of under IAY,
the rest of the rural population
is not getting much institutional
support for fulfilling their
housing needs. To mitigate
the situation I propose
to set up a Rural Housing
Board. Necessary fund will
be sourced from National
Housing Bank and such other
financial institutions.
38.
At present
we are giving liberal one-time
ex-gratia grants to the
next of kins of victims
of terrorist violence. Many
of them are widows or children.
For their welfare on a sustainable
basis, I propose to set
up a Terrorist Victims Welfare
Board.
39.
I propose to hold elections
to the Panchayat Raj Institutions
in all the three tiers
as per schedule. Necessary
provision has been made
in 2007-08 budget to meet
the cost of conduct of
these elections. I have
also decided to transfer
the salary liability of
nearly 2000 GP secretaries
from Plan to Non-Plan
head so as to facilitate
smooth and regular payment
of their salaries. An
amount of Rs.26 crore
has been provided for
this Purpose in 2007-08
budget.
As the Hon'ble Members
are aware we constituted
the 3rd State Finance
Commission. The most important
term of reference given
to this Commission is
to suggest appropriate
devolution from the State
Government to both urban
and rural local bodies.
The Commission's report
is awaited. However, pending
recommendation of the
Commission I have opened
a separate window in 2007-08
budget for devolution
to PRIs and ULBs. An amount
of Rs.97.55 crore has
been kept.
For transparent delivery
of public services it
is essential that the
general public is kept
informed of various schemes
and programmes of the
Government. To facilitate
this, I propose to make
the Government publication"Raijor
Batori" more comprehensive.
It will be mandatory for
all Government departments
and institutions under
it to release their advertisements,
tender notices, employment
news as well as other
important information
through "Raijor Batori".
For this purpose I have
kept a provision of Rs.4.oo
crore in 2007-08 under
Non plan budget. Moreover,
another amount of Rs.4.00
crore under non plan budget
for installation of fixed
loud speaker system (FLS)
in key locations both
in urban and rural areas.
40.
Rejuvenation of the rural
economy has been given
the highest priority by
my Government. This is
being sought to be achieved
through successful implementation
of various centrally sponsored
rural development programmes.
The major ones among them
are, SGSY(Swarna Jayanti
Gram Swa Rojgar Yojana),
IAY, SGRY and NREGA (National
Rural Employment Guarantee
Act). An amount of Rs.300
crore has been provided
as State share in 2007-08
budget against these programmes
so as to maximize flow
of corresponding central
allocation to the State.
The State Govt. has decided
to implement the Backward
Regions Grant Fund (BRGF)
in eleven districts, viz.
Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Cachar,
Dhemaji, Goalpara, Hailakandi,
Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar,
Morigaon, Lakhimpur and
N C Hills. Each district
will get Rs.13 crore to
Rs.15 crore during 2007-08.
Panchayats at the village,
intermediate and district
level will undertake planning
and implementation of
the Programme.
41.
The centrally
sponsored National Old Age
Pension Scheme under NSAP
will continue to be implemented.
As against current rate
of Rs.75/- per month, I
propose to raise it to Rs.250/-
per month with a State share
of Rs.50/- per person per
month.
Necessary provisions have
been made in 2007-08 budget
estimates.
42.
The Hon'ble Members are
aware we have not been able
to achieve self-sufficiency
in fish production despite
our huge potential. Therefore
development of pisciculture
in the State deserves our
wholehearted support. In
the next financial year
we are going to give emphasis
on fish seed farming, reclamation
of derelict water bodies,
development of beel fisheries
and open water fisheries,
fishery extension service
and transportation and marketing
of fish. I propose to enhance
the plan allocation for
this sector, including allocation
under World Bank funded
Assam Agriculture Competitiveness
Project from Rs.13.39 crore
in 2006-07 to Rs.18.95 crore
in the next financial year.
43.
Animal husbandry,
veterinary services and
dairy development are important
components of the rural
economy. Our strategy in
this sector is to encourage
young entrepreneurs including
unemployed youths to come
forward and set up privately
owned ventures by availing
various incentives and benefits
available under different
schemes and programmes.
Various schemes have been
taken up for development
of this sector under the
World Bank funded Assam
Agriculture Competitiveness
Projects, RIDF and the State
plan. An amount of Rs.22.56
crore has been provided
in 2007-08 budget for development
of the this sector.
44.
As the Hon'ble
Members are aware Tourism
is the fastest growing industry
in the World. Because of
its huge employment potential
with multiplier effects
on both direct and indirect
employment it is specially
relevant to Assam. In the
next financial year I propose
to give a new thrust to
promotion of tourism in
the State. For this purpose
a draft State Tourism Policy
has already been prepared
and circulated among the
stake-holders. I propose
to finalize this for execution
from the next financial
year.
Creation of tourism related
infrastructure and other
facilities, wide publicity
in the national and international
media and participation
in various national as well
as international tourism
fairs and events will be
given high priority. With
this end in view
I have increased the plan
allocation for tourism from
Rs. 4.25 crore in 2006-07
to Rs.12.23 crore in 2007-08.
In addition to this Government
of India is also being
moved for providing Central
assistance amounting to
nearly Rs.100 crore for
development of tourist circuits
and destinations.
45.
The unemployment scenario
in the State has assumed
an alarming proportion
causing a serious socio-economic
problem. Considering the
burning problem of unemployment,
the State Government has
already prepared employment
generation programmes
which is being implemented
in a mission mode through
Employment Generation
Mission. It is estimated
that about 1,67,000 employment/self-employment
opportunities will be
generated within the coming
three years in the thrust
areas like Horticulture,
Diary, Bamboo, Handloom
and Handicrafts, Tourism
and Bio-Diesel etc. sectors.
Within the Employment
Generation Mission a special
cell will be created for
giving special focus on
rural self employment.
This will be a special
component action plan
within the mission. For
this scheme Rs.10 crore
has been provided in the
budget for the financial
year 2006-07 and Rs. 40
crore has been allotted
for the financial year
2007-08.
A scheme under the Prime
Minister's North East
package is in the process
of implementation wherein
17 existing ITIs have
been upgraded and 4 (four)
new ITIs had been established
during the 10th Five Year
Plan period. This has
enhanced the intake capacity
of the ITIs from 4,568
to 6,568. Certification
and training on informal
sector has been started
from the year 2006-07.
For overall skill development
of disabled persons a
special component scheme
involving an amount of
Rs.1.12 crore have been
implemented during 2006-07
in 12 (twelve) ITIs in
the State. A project on
computerization of employment
exchanges throughout the
State is proposed to be
implemented during the
financial year 2007-08
for the benefit of job
seekers. New multi-skill
development courses have
been introduced in 4 (four)
ITIs from the year 2006-07.
These ITIs are expected
to be upgraded with World
Bank Fund.
For the first time in
the history of Assam,
setting up of a Regional
Boiler Testing Laboratory
was taken up in the 2005
with a total outlay of
Rs.2.43 crore from the
North Eastern Council,
which will enable the
testing of boilers as
per the statutory requirements
scientifically and with
modern testing methods.
This will give impetus
to the development of
industries in the North
Eastern Region and create
employment and self-employment
opportunities amongst
the local unemployed educated
youths. It is proposed
to complete the project
during 2007-08.
46.
In my 10th July 2006
budget speech, I had mentioned
about my decision to fill
up 12,000 posts in a planned
and systematic manner
to meet the essential
manpower needs of different
Departments. I have already
approved filling up of
more than 15,000 posts
including backlog in 42
different Departments
during this financial
year. In addition to this,
more than 1000 new posts
considered essential in
the public interest have
also been approved for
creation and recruitment.
I propose to continue
this process of filling
up essential vacant posts
in the next financial
year also.
47.
During the current financial
year, the State Govt.
has prepared the city
development plan for Guwahati
under Jawaharlal Nehru
National Urban Renewal
Mission (JNNURM), which
was approved by the Govt.
of India. The State Govt.
has signed a tripartite
Memorandum of Agreement
with Govt. of India in
January, 2007, paving
the way for sanction of
various projects under
the Mission. The First
project of Integrated
Solid Waste Management
Project at an approximate
cost of Rs. 51.30 crore
has already been approved
by the Government of India.
The work of preparation
of Detailed Project Report
for Integrated Drinking
Water Supply, Sewerage
and Drainage Project for
Guwahati is already under
process. The State Govt.
invited bids for carrying
out a detailed study for
Mass Rapid Transport System
(MRTS) for Guwahati and
the projects under the
same will be preferred
to Government of India
within the coming financial
year.
The State Government
has already initiated
steps for construction
of a Ropeway between North
and South Guwahati at
a cost of Rs.29.87 crore.
Construction of a Park
at Soil Conservation Complex
has already been taken
up by the Government and
is expected to be completed
in the year 2007-08.
State Government will
take up new schemes for
construction of a Foot
Bridge over the Brahmaputra
between Guwahati and North
Guwahati from 2007-08.
Construction of Drains
in Guwahati city under
12th Finance Commission
Award will be continued
in the coming financial
year.
48.
After the
resounding success of the
33rd National Games, our
next task is to maintain
the tempo and enthusiasm
of our young sports persons
as well as maintain and
utilize the world class
infrastructure created for
the National Games in a
efficient and sustainable
manner. I have decided to
utilize the infrastructure
by organizing various sports
events, including school
and college tournaments,
on a regular basis. The
State Government will raise
necessary resources to meet
any gap that may remain
between the maintenance
cost and cost of promotion
of sports in the State on
a large scale by utilizing
these infrastructures on
one hand and the internal
revenue realization on the
other. If necessary some
cess may be levied on appropriate
commodities, keeping an
eye not to hurt the common
man, and form a corpus fund
for proper maintenance and
upkeep of the infrastructure.
49.
The State Government
proposes to cover 20 towns
to implement some major
infrastructure development
schemes like drainage,
roads, solid waste management,
truck/bus terminus, market
complex etc. Moreover,
schemes sanctioned during
2006-07 for several towns
including Tinsukia, Dhemaji,
Diphu, Nazira, Golaghat
and Moran will be continued
to be implemented during
2007-08.
The Assam Urban Water
Supply and Sewerage Board
has proposed to take up
several new water supply
schemes viz. Accelerated
Urban Water Supply Programme,
Urban Infrastructure Development
Scheme for Small and Medium
Towns etc. during 2007-08.
Many of our districts,
sub-divisional and smaller
towns suffer from inadequate
civic amenities. I have
proposed an amount of
Rs.30.00 crore in 2007-08
non plan budget to be
devolved to the urban
local bodies. To get benefit
out of this fund, the
ULBs will have to meet
certain eligibility criteria.
25 percent of this devolution
will be given un-earmarked
grant-in-aid and the balance
75 percent will be against
specific schemes and projects.
50.
An efficient road network
is a prerequisite for
economic development.
I have therefore been
giving very high priority
to this sector. During
the last six years
have been able to construct
6034 KMs of new roads
and 605 nos. of RCC bridges
in place of timber bridges.
Road and bridge construction
works are being undertaken
under various schemes
and programmes. In addition
to State Plan and Non-plan
allocations, we are also
sourcing funds from the
World Bank under the Assam
Agriculture Competitiveness
Project, NABARD under
RIDF, North Eastern Council,
NLCPR, Central Road Fund
and the centrally funded
PMGSY. Under the Mukhyamantrir
Pakipath Nirman Achoni,
work of 500 KMs of all
weather roads will be
taken up. An amount of
Rs.75.oo crore has been
provided for this purpose
in 2007-08 plan budget.
I propose to raise the
total allocation from
various sources for construction
of roads and bridges from
Rs.771.08 crore in 2006-07
to Rs.980.65 crore in
2007-08. This is over
and above Rs. 1548.00
crore that will be available
for Assam directly under
PMGSY. Thus total fund
available for roads and
bridge construction works
in 2007-08 will be
Rs.2528.65 crore. The
quantum jump in this regard
may be gauged by comparing
it with the 2000-01 total
allocation of only Rs.100.40
crore.
Hon'ble Members will
be happy to know that
in addition to the road
component under AACP,
the World Bank has come
forward to fund a project
called Assam State Road
Project for improvement
of Certain High Speed
Corridors of State Highways
as well as Major District
Roads of the State. This
project involves an amount
of US Dollars 300 Million
and is to be completed
within five years. An
amount of Rs.2 million
has already been sanctioned
as technical assistance
by the World Bank for
project preparation.
Along with the construction
of new roads and bridges
repair and maintenance
of the existing ones are
equally important. I propose
an amount of Rs. 167.53
crore in 2007-08 budget
for this purpose. It may
be of interest to the
Hon'ble Members to know
that allocation for this
purpose in 2000-01 was
only Rs. 24.50 crore.
51
The nation
will be celebrating the
golden jubilee of the historic
Satyagraha movement launched
by the Father of the Nation,
Mahatma Gandhi on 11th September
1906 in South Africa. In
2007 which is also commemorate
150th Anniversary of India'
war of Independence. As
part of commemoration of
these historical events,
I propose to raise the pension
of the freedom fighters
from Rs.2500/- per month
to Rs. 3000/- per month.
