From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister and also Finance Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday presented a budget of Rs 42380.68 crore for the fiscal 2012-13 with an estimated deficit of Rs 293.44 crore and without any proposal for fresh tax.
Presenting the budget at Assam Assembly Gogoi painted a rosy puctire of state finances saying, “The remarkable financial turnaround of the state became discernible from 2005-06. In that year, for the first time we could achieve the unique distinction of posting primary, revenue and fiscal surpluses. In the subsequent years also we have been able to maintain the trend of fiscal stability as measured by these parameters. In the year 2010-11, we had ended the year with a modest revenue surplus of Rs 58 crore. The fiscal deficit to GSDP ratio in 2010-11 was also only 1.91 %, well below the FRBM target of 3 %.”
He said that in view of the move on part of the Government of India and the state governments to introduce Goods and Services Tax (GST) by replacing Union Excuse Duty, State VAT, the budget had not proposed any major change in the existing tax regime.
“Moreover, the global economic sow down is likely to have some impact on the national and state economies also, necessitating some stimuli to investment and production. The price rise of various commodities has also adversely affected the common men. I have, therefore, decided to present a tax free budget without imposition of any new tax and reduction on taxes of certain items to give boost to investment and production in the state.”
Gogoi said Assam government has decided to revamp its police force so that it can face the challenges of the time on its own. He said the manpower of the state police force was being augmented so that every police station in urban centers are manned by 80 personnel while those in rural areas have strength of 40 personnel. New police stations and outposts are being created while vacant posts in the constabulary are being filled up in phased manner.
Assam police has already set up a Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) to integrate entire criminal investigation system. Gogoi who also holds the Home portfolio, said the crime investigation unit in the state police would be strengthened while the anti-corruption organisations like CM’s Vigilance Cell. Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption were being revamped.
Under the Modernisation of Police Force (MPF), DIAL 100 Project for Guwahati City Police Control Room has been completed while installation f 291 CCTV cameras in various parts of this main city of the North East India is going on.
In an apparent attempt to keep the morale of the state police force on the high, Gogoi today announced, “In have instructed the state Home Department to prepare a detailed action plan with a DPR implementable within three years for improvement of housing facilities for police personnel and their families in the districts, providing education, healthcare and recreational facilities in the police reserves.”