SHILLONG: The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), P N Syiem presented a deficit budget of Rs 213,53,36,970 for the fiscal 2018-19 on the first day of the Council’s budget session.
Presenting the budget speech, he said the total estimated expenditure for the fiscal was Rs 213,53,36,970 against the anticipated revenue collection of Rs 213,52,87,410. The estimated deficit amount is calculated at Rs 49,560.
He said the budget for the year 2017-18 will be over on March 31, 2018 and in the previous years, the KHADC had tabled the vote on account for three months.
Syiem informed that the share of revenue of the Council came from land revenue, major and minor forest produce, court fees and sale of forms, council markets at Laitlyngkot, Byrni market etc., trade license, sale of forms, acts, rules etc., royalty on share of major and minor minerals, taxes on motor vehicles, professional tax, civil works and development, miscellaneous receipts, revenue from toll gates, grant-in-aid for protection of tribal land and interest, grant-in-aid for normal administration.
The expenditure includes salaries to members of the executive committee, advisory committees, officers and staff of the Council, pension and gratuity for retired staff, Elaka administration, financial assistance to Arts and Culture, Youth affairs, promotion of Sports activities, special town and Rural Welfare programme, salaries for staff in the Law Department, salaries for staff of forest department, salaries for Judicial officers, staff etc.
Speaking on the administration of Justice and Judicial Department, Syiem said, “The Executive Committee has decided to create one post for Magistrate and to increase the number of staff in the department. The Council, with the assistance of NIC, Meghalaya will soon implement the Court Information System for speedy and smooth functioning of the department.”
The expenditure of the Council also includes salaries for Chairman, deputy chairman, members of the Council, officers and staff of the Legislative Department, assistance to schools and salaries of the Education department, Civil works and Development department, Enforcement scheme for protection of tribal land and interest.
On the other hand, the CEM also he informed that the construction of Council Guest House as well as the extension of District Council Court was complete.
He added that the work for Khasi Traditional Medicine Institute & Research Center, the Khasi Traditional Museum was on and expected the construction to be completed this year.
Grants from the Center
Syiem informed that the Central government recently released Rs 32, 24, 70,000 which was granted for Excluded areas under Part IX and IXA of the Constitution of India for the year 2017-18.
To implement the grant, the Planning and Implementation Committee has been in place to carry on the work as per guidelines of the grant.
Syiem informed that the construction of office of Executive in place of the old Council session hall had been sanctioned from the grant. The office of the executive will be a two-storey building which will also have parking space.
The sanction of the grant will also include the repair of the Wahkaji-Mawthabah road, Phlangdiloin-Wahkaji and other works for the development of the Council.
Syiem also informed that the Council had received a sanction of Rs 9,66,68,000 which is the remaining amount of money from the Special Assistance of the Central Plan Scheme 2016-17 and expressed hope that the state government would release the money soon.
As for the scheme, he said that the Council had completed 80 per cent of the works and the utilization certificate would soon be submitted.
Revised pay scale for Council staff
Stating that the expenditure on salaries of the Council employees has been enhanced in all the departments, Syiem said that the executive committee had decided to approve the revised pay scale for Council employees as per the recommendations of the 5th pay commission implemented since January 1, 2017.
He added that the arrear of the staff was released in January this year.
Road infrastructure
As for road infrastructure, he said that the Executive Committee had given permission to the state government for road development in terms of extension and widening of road which included the Shillong-Nongstoin-Riangdo road, Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai, Riangdo-Athiabari-Hahim, Ranikor-Maheshkhola-Baghmara, Shillong Western bypass, a part of Shillong-Dawki road among others.
“The Executive Committee has also given its approval for the setting up of entry-exit point at Athiabari, Byrniha and Nongpoh,” Syiem said.
He added that other infrastructure includes Fire Brigade and Bus Terminus in different places.
VAB and MUDA
Syiem pointed out that Executive Committee of the KHADC will follow up on the issue of the Village Administration Bill (VAB), 2014 and MUDA.