By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngaiñ N Syiem on Monday presented the Vote on Account of Rs 15.96 crore for the first quarter of the financial year 2013-2014, on the first day of the budget session.
The fund allocation earmarked in the Vote on Account included Rs 4.89 crore for the General Administration Department and Rs 1.21 crore for Forest Administration Department, while Rs 87.28 lakh has been earmarked for Revenue and Finance Department.
The Executive Committee (EC) was unable to present the full budget for 2013-14 as the District Council is yet to receive its share of taxes and royalties from the State Government for the various mineral resources which are due for the period 2012-2013.
The full budget is expected to be presented at the end of the first quarter in June.
Earlier, KHADC Executive Member in charge of Finance, Antonio War, while replying to a query raised by Mairang MDC Rasor Rani during the Question Hour, informed that they have received a total amount of Rs 6.11 crore from the State Government which is the share due to the Council from royalties on mineral resources for the current fiscal.
According to War, the fund on the shares of royalties which was released to the Council was a lump sum amount since the State government had not provided the detailed breakup, including the percentage at which the royalty was calculated.
Laitkroh MDC Carmel Sohtun expressed concern over the failure of the State Government to indicate the percentage of royalty, saying that this might cause huge revenue loss to the Council.
“I am of the view that the Council should earnestly pursue with the State Government to indicate the percentage which is due to the Council in relation to the shares from royalties on mineral resources,” Sohtun said.
Meanwhile, Executive Member in charge Elaka, Lamphrang Blah, pleaded to give an extension to the Select Committee to complete its task of examining the proposed amendment of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and Succession failed to pass the proposed amendment and referred the matter to the Select Committee.
As per Section 20 of the Act, the Syiem, Deputy Syiem and Myntri of the Hima are not allowed to take part in active politics.
The House was later adjourned and it would meet against on March 6 and 7.
