TURA: Newly appointed Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Dipul R Marak presented a 63,89,54,977 crore budget for a period from April 1 2018 to july 31 2018, during the first day of the provisional budget session on Tuesday.
The budget was approved by a show of hands from all the MDCs who are part of the NPP led ruling coalition, Garo Hills Progressive Alliance (GHPA). Interestingly, the opposition benches remained empty all throughout the session as all of them preferred to stay away.
As per the budget that was presented, Civil Works received the largest chunk of Rs 15,50,15,200/-, followed closely behind by Loans and Advances with Rs 10,50,00000/-.
Besides, an amount of Rs 8,52,55,500/- was earmarked for General Administration, Rs 6,55,37,754/- for Land Revenue, Rs 6,28,57,344 for Forests, Rs 3,19,38,007/- for Tourism, Rs 2,43,16,413/- for Taxation, Rs 1,19,24,785/- for Water Works, Rs 1,84,39,900/- for Legislative, Rs 1,40,23,174/- for Rural Administration, Rs 1,39,87,878/- for Council and Printing, Rs 1,16,3,300/- for Council Transport Department, Rs 1,11,54,904/- for Rural Development, Rs 1,01,59,052 for Finance, Rs 80,27,424/- for Administration of Justice, Rs 51,34,544/- for Agriculture and Rs 45,79,798/- for Relief Works.
Following the presentation of the budget, GHADC Deputy Chairman, Metrinson G Momin informed that the post of the GHADC Chairman has been rendered vacant due to the resignation of incumbent Congress MDC, Sadhiarani M Sangma from the post on the same day. He said that nomination to be appointed to the post will take place on Wednesday which will be followed by scrutiny and later, by voting in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, it is being largely speculated that the post of Chairman is likely to go to former CEM, Denang T Sangma while that of the Deputy CEM would be given to NPP MDC from Damas, Dolly K Sangma.
