SHILLONG, Feb 25: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) deputy chief executive member, Gigur Myrthong, presented a deficit budget of Rs 95,130 for the year 2021-2022.
Presenting the budget on Day 1 of the KHADC budget session on Thursday, Myrthong informed that the expenditure projected was Rs 239,14,49,070 while the estimated revenue was put at Rs 239,13,53,940.
He said in the previous years, a vote on account was presented for three months. ”But this year, we decided to present a full budget for the year 2021-2022 even though the present fiscal year would end on March 31, 2021. We have taken this decision with the intention to improve the overall functioning of the Council,” Deputy CEM stated.
Myrthong informed that there was a deficit in the budget estimate since the proposed expenditure was higher than the Council’s revenue receipts.
He further stated that the activities of the council were affected in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The executive committee (EC) however is hopeful of completing all pending projects, he added.
The deputy CEM further stated that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 40,95,00,000 from the 15th Finance Commission for the year 2020-2021 (both tied and untied grant).
Informing that the state government had released Rs 20, 47,50,000 of the untied grant, he said, “We expect the state government to release the remaining 50 per cent of the tied grant”.
He further informed that the EC, through the grant received from the Excluded Areas for the year 2019-2020, has earmarked funds for the development of tourist spots at Mawlai Nongkwar Bishop Falls, market complex at Riangdo and setting of markets at Byrnihat and Mawryngkneng.
Myrthong also informed that some funds have also been earmarked for the development of tourist spots at Maraikaphon, Sohra (second phase) and the Khasi Traditional Medicine Institute (third phase).
“We have also decided to set up courts with magistrates at the Nongstoin, Nongpoh and Mawkyrwat branch offices to ensure early disposal of cases for the benefit of the people,” the deputy CEM informed.
He further stated that according to Article 275 (1) of the Constitution, the executive committee intended to preserve and promote the culture and tradition of the Khasis and also to expand cultural tourism. “The main objective was to generate revenue and also to provide employment opportunities to the youth,” he added.
Meanwhile, the bills which were tabled on the first day of the budget session include the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Administration of Elaka) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021, Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Nomination and Election of the Syiem, Deputy Syiem and Electors of Nongstoin Syiemship) (Third Amendment) Bill, 2012, Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Establishment, Management and Control of Markets) (Second Amendment) Regulation Bill, 2021 and Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) Bill, 2021.
KHADC chief executive member, Titosstarwell Chyne also tabled the report of the executive committee on the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) Bill, 2020.
KHADC executive member in-charge, development, Martle N Mukhim, informed that the state government was yet to release the funds of the tied scheme which was earmarked by the 15th Finance Commission to the council.
Replying to a question raised by Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah MDC Pynshngaiñ N Syiem, Mukhim informed that the 15th Finance Commission had earmarked Rs 182 crore to the three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) — KHADC, GHADC and JHADC – in the state.
“A sanctioned order of 50 percent of the funds amounting Rs 91 crore was released to the state government,” Mukhim informed.
Mukhim informed that out of the Rs 91 crore earmarked to the three ADCs, Rs 45.5 crore was for tied grant and Rs 45.5 crore for untied grant.
He added that the state government had already released an amount of Rs 24,47,50,000 of the untied grant.
“The government, however, is yet to release the remaining 50 per cent amounting Rs 24,47,50,000 of the tied grant,” he said.
The KHADC EM, in-charge of development, informed that he along with Chyne had met Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and District Council Affairs Minister Lahkmen Rymbui to apprise them of the matter.
“Both of them assured that they would look into the matter. We are yet to receive any further communication from the state government on this matter,” Mukhim said.
He further clarified that according to information, 50 per cent of the tied grant is still intact with the finance department.
“The question of diversion of funds to the PHE department does not arise since the ADCs are recognised as the rural local bodies for the implementation of the funds earmarked by the 15th Finance Commission as per the circular issued by the ministry of finance,” Mukhim said.
He also assured the House that the Executive Committee will again follow up with the finance and district council affairs departments to know about the status of the 50 per cent of the tied grant which is yet to be released.
Earlier, MDC from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah, Syiem strongly objected to the decision of the state government to award the funds under the tied grant to the PHE without the consent of the ADCs.
He further stated that as per the guidelines of the ministry of finance, the state has to release the funds within a period of 10 days, failing which the interest would have to be paid to the ADCs.
The MDC also informed that according to the minutes of the meeting with senior government officials held on October 15, 2020, it was decided that the tied grant will not be released to the KHADC but will be given to the PHE department since it was already implementing the sanitation and water supply programme under the Jal Jeevan Mission.