Shillong, June 28: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) passed its annual budget deficit budget of the Council for the year 2023-24 on the final day of the Budget Session of the Council here on Wednesday.
It may be noted that the budget has a deficit of Rs 55,080. The projected expenditure stood at Rs 253,12,59,690 while the estimated revenue was pegged at 253,12,04,610.
In the budget, General Administration Department has been allocated Rs 33.24 crore, Law department Rs 61.50 lakh, Revenue and Finance department Rs 9.09 crore, Forest department Rs 9.39 crore, Civil Works & Development department Rs 179.36 crore and Enforcement Scheme for Protection of Tribal Land & Interest Rs 5.68 crore.
Earlier in the day, participating in the general discussion on the budget, Leader of Opposition in the KHADC, Titosssarwell Chyne has urged upon the new Executive Committee (EC) to take steps to complete the council assets which were implemented since the beginning of the present term.
“We understand as the council we are making efforts to generate revenue through the council asset. One of the initiatives taken by the council is the setting up of the new market. I will like to appreciate this effort since this will allow the farmers to sell or market their agricultural produce,” he said.
Chyne said that the other major project which is still pending is at Jingkieng Kalong since the council has earmarked huge funds for this particular project.
Stating that the implementation of this project had begun since the last term, he said that the previous EC has tried its best to complete this project.
“But it could not complete it due to the objection from the NGT and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board,” Leader of Opposition said.
In response to this, Council’s Chief Executive Member (CEM), Pyniaid Sing Syiem, said that the present EC will try its best to see that the various assets of the council are able to generate revenue.
He further said that tourist spot in Maraikaphon, Sohra was completed and then inaugurated in the month of November 2022 adding that the tourist spot at Bishop Falls in Mawlai is making good progress.
The KHADC CEM further informed that the building permission has been issued since the month of January 2023 and till date 83 building permissions have been issued.
The Urban Affairs department of the state government has announced that Autonomous District Councils have been authorised to implement the Meghalaya Building bye-laws 2021 within the jurisdiction of the District Council.
The KHADC through the Khasi Hills Building and Structure Regulatory Authority (KHBSRA) implemented the Building Bye-laws 2021.
The CEM said that the Executive Committee will strengthen the KHBSRA so that the collection from the building permission will enhance the revenue receipts of the Council.
Meanwhile, he informed that the council was supposed to implement health sector grant sanctioned according to the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission
According to him, the Ministry has recognized the council to implement projects under the health sector.
“The Ministry may be of the view that the council will be the best option to implement health sector grants at the grass root level. But till date we are yet to receive any funds and we will follow up with the state government,” KHADC CEM added.