SHILLONG: The Treasury bench has several reasons to worry during the Budget session of the State Assembly starting from Monday as the financial crisis, never-ending law and order problem in Garo Hills and delay in fulfilling various promises will be the ammunition for the Opposition to fire at the Government.
Moreover, the affairs in the two Councils, KHADC and GHADC will be another factor which will ultimately bring both the ruling and the Opposition at loggerheads.
The Budget session is likely to be a stormy one with the Opposition all set to corner the government on these issues.
While the Opposition cried foul recently over the alleged interference and indirect role of the ruling Congress in its move to topple the Opposition-led Executive Committee in KHADC, the granting of extension for six months for GHADC will also be questioned by the Opposition during the session.
However, the issue of amendment to the Constitution in reference of district councils is been not taken up by the Centre in the ongoing session of Parliament, which according to NPP has exposed the delaying tactic and hidden agenda of the State Government as far as elections to GHADC is concerned.
Another cause of worry for the Government will be the serious financial crunch the state is presently facing.
Though the Government cites NGT ban on coal mining as the main cause of current financial position, there are also other reasons for the crisis including expenditure incurred for the creation of four districts, frequent foreign and domestic tours by ministers, creation of posts and purchase of vehicles among others.
The lesser allocation from 14th Finance Commission to Meghalaya compared to other Northeastern states has put the Government in further financial constraints.
However, in a sarcastic note, the Chief Minister has already offered ‘ internship’ to the Opposition to explain the nature of allocation of funds by the 14th finance commission. On the first day of the session, the Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi will address the House followed by laying of Government ordinances, notifications and obituary reference.The Budget will be presented on March 18.
Out of the 13 working days, only four days are allotted for the private members.
The session will conclude on March 25.
