CEMs write to Centre for release of council fund

SHILLONG: In a joint petition, the CEMs of the three autonomous district councils – KHADC, JHADC and GHADC – shot off a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley urging him to release the Rs 1,000 crore allocated to district councils in the North East.
“Though the financial year is coming to an end, Rs 1,000 crore is yet to be released to the respective states and autonomous district councils,” the letter stated.
Meanwhile, KHADC CEM P.N Syiem told reporters on Sunday that a Forum of Councils under the Sixth Schedule (FOCUSS) will be held to flag issues relating to the funding.
“The FOCUSS will discuss how the Centre has reduced the allocated amount from Rs 1000 crore to Rs 500 crore, when it should have enhanced it to Rs 2000 crore,” he said.
“This issue will be discussed at FOCUSS meeting (to be held either in Shillong or Guwahati) and we will proceed to Delhi for a meeting with the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to request the release of fund as allocated in the 2016-17 budget,” Syiem added.