Assam Govt tables dismal state of finances

Guwahati: The newly-elected BJP-led coalition government in Assam on Friday laid a White Paper in the state Assembly claiming that the previous Congress government had left the state exchequer in a sorry state  because of gross mismanagement and lack of foresight.
Laying the White Paper, state Finance minister Dr Himanta Bishwa Sarmah said the revenue generation of the state had dipped while expenditure was made on non-performing and populist schemes soared.
The minister said the new state government had inherited a whopping Rs 10,018.93 crore as liabilities  from the previous government. He pointed that state’s own revenues had increased merely 3.39% in 2015-16, while it was even lower at 1.39% in 2014-15.
He said all social and economic indicators were failing the state. The Finance minister pointed out  while the budget size had increased, expenditure had plummeted.
“The state’s over-dependency on central funds has further brought down state’s own revenue generation,”
Dr Sharma said the government is faced with an uphill task in matters of finances and added that new  government would take a host of initiatives and programmes to revive the economy.
However, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday passed an order raising the dearness allowance of the state government employees by 6 per cent with effect from January 1, 2016 and the arrear will be paid along with July salary.
This will make the state government to incur additional Rs 900 crore per year in payment of salary to its employees in the current fiscal. It happened to be the first official  file signed by Sonowal as the chief minister.
Sonowal on Friday announced formation of a Skill Development department to enhance employability of  youths.
In reply to the debate on the Governor’s address, Sonowal affirmed the government’s commitment to work towards keeping intact the harmonious diverse social fabric of the state.
In line with the Union government’s Skill India Programme, the Assam CM said the new government in the  state will form a Skill Development department to oversee the skill development aspect in the state and  reach all parts of the state.
Underscoring the diverse nature of the state with multiple tribes and communities, Sonowal said it was  on top of the government’s agenda to maintain this secular fabric of the state,  He said, “We have to keep intact the harmonious diverse social fabric of our state and include everyone  in the journey towards development.”
“There must be no fear or apprehension in the mind of any section of people and we will ensure that  everyone enjoys equal dignity,” he added.
He maintained that state’s financial condition was in shambles and said, “The entire system has to be  revisited. We have to take steps to strengthen our financial condition.”