Arunachal house passes budget by voice vote

The Arunachal Pradesh assembly today passed the 2015-16 Budget tabled by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on July 15 last, by voice votes after two-day discussion.
Tuki, who also holds the finance minister portfolio informed that one lakh employment in all sectors would be created by the end of 12th Five Year Plan as a commitment toeing the Centre's policy.
Stating that self-employment was better than white collared government job as it could help earn more, Tuki said that this is the area where all sections of the society would be benefitted.
On BJP member Tage Taki's comment on the Budget as 'imaginary' and opposed to allocation to social sector, The chief minister said that human resources development was key to justify 20 per cent higher allocation to social sector, a road map to make the state self-sufficient.

Tuki maintained that civil deposit in RBI is a usual process and not wrong as alleged by Tamiyo Taga, BJP opposition leader and added that the exercise aimed at streamlining finance.
"Surplus or deficit is a common practice though every pie is accountable," he said adding, the ongoing recruitment process particularly in police, health and education sectors was increasing burden to the exchequer.

On Taga's charge on huge liabilities, Tuki clarified that the state has a liability of Rs 5,384 crore which was because of less allocation by the 13th Finance Comission.
He added that the state government was committed to follow central pay scale and would consider the recommendation of Sevnth Pay Commission.

"The untied fund helped to reduce salary liabilities," he added.
Responding to allegations by the Opposition members, the chief minister informed that the state government followed permissible RBI norms but nothing was auctioned as alleged by Taga.
Moreover, there is provision for market borrowing under permissible ceiling through RBI, he pointed out.
The debt service liabilities amounted to Rs 762 crore within the permissible limit but not Rs 900 crore as claimed by Taga, Tuki said adding, the hike in employees DA from 107 per cent to 113 per cent was included in the budgetary provision with Rs 57 crore allocations under non-plan.

While hinting steps to hike revenue generation, the chief minister moved the budget which was passed by voice votes before Speaker Nabam Rebia adjourned the house sine die.
Earlier, participating in the discussion, Taga alleged that 70 per cent of National and State disaster relief fund was spent on Papum Pare district and demanded for a CBI inquiry.
Participating in the budget discussion Congress MLA Lombo Tayeng said that Job Mela conceived by Tuki helped many unemployed youths to get job in private sector, while senior BJP member Japu Deru thanked PM for granting huge fund to the state under tax devolution through the 14th Finance Commission.

BJP member Dr Mohesh Chair while appreciating the Chief Minister Universal Health Insurance Scheme (CMUHIS) wondered why the health sector was not streamlined with adequate budgetary allocations.
Parliamentary Secretary for Home Likha Saaya terming the budget as excellent said that it is the beginning of the journey to achieve Vision 2030 of the state government.